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OF THE 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT, 

RECTOR OF ASTON SANDFORD, BUCKS; 
ABRIDGED 

FKOM HIS LIFJE COMPILED BY HIS SON. 



APPROVED BY THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE OF THE 
KENNEBEC CO. S. S. UIV^O . . 



AUGUSTA, Me. 

PUBLISHED BY P. A. BRINSMADE, 
Al THE DEPOSITORY OF KENNEBEC CO. S. S. UNIOX 

1830. 



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Eaton & Severance, Printers, Augusta. 



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PREFACE. 



l^i^ 



It is the chafacter of the good man that he is more ambltioug 
to please God than man. And if he lives so as to obtain the 
divine approbation, he leaves behind him a character worthy 
tlie imitation of those who would attain the same object. It is 
desirable that characters worthy of imitation be placed in such 
a light that all possible benefit may be derived from them. To 
youth especially, example is more alluring than precept is im- 
pressive. And to youtli the following memoir is presented in 
the hope that while they endeavour to avoid the follies of his 
younger years, they will imitate the virtuesi. of him who is the 
subject of this memoir: that while they see his conquest over 
his turbulent passions, it may encourage them in self-command. 

Though the subject of this memoir was " a man of no pre- 
tensions," born in humble life, he became by his own efforts 
one of the most distinguished Theologians of his day, and was 
perhaps, more useful than any of his cotemporaries. And 
%vhat can prevent many of our American youth from arriving 
at equal eminence '? This is peculiarly an age of exertion, and 
of facilities for improvement, and whoever will, may avail 
themselves of these facilities. Very- few would be obliged to 
surmount such obstacles as obstructed the path of Mr. Scott. 

There is also an extensive field for usefulness. This field 
is the world , and it affords ample space for all tlie talents and 
efforts in Christendom. The work is a glorious work, engag- 
ing not only the energies of angels, but of the God of Angels. 
The harvest to be reaped is a harvest of immortal souls; one 



4 

^fwhom is of more value than all terrestrial things beside- 
A being capable of sustaining an eternal weight of glory, or 
of enduring throughout interminable ages the fiercest wrath of 
an offended God. To redeem him from everlasting misery, and 
raise him to the privileges of the blessed in heaven, the Son of 
the Highest condescended for a season to be disrobed of the 
Godhead, and not only to dwell with men on the earth, but to 
purchase their redemption with his blood. 
May 7, 1830. 



MX^MOIR 

OF THE 

REV. TH03MCAS SCOTT 



CHAPTER I. 

Hie birth and parentage — Residence at Bennington — Studies 
at Scorton — Bound to an apothecary at Alford — 111 conduct 
and dismission — Temporary reformation — Employment on 
his father's farm. 

The Rev. Thomas Scott was born at Bray- 
toft in the county of Lincoln in England, Feb. 
16, 1747. His father, Mr. John Scott, was a 
grazier or farmer; and though possessing un- 
common energy of mind, and vigour of intellect, 
was never affluent; yet in the latter part of his 
life he attained to comfortable circumstances. 
His mother was well calculated to educate and 
govern her large family of thirteen children; 
and it was from her he received the first rudi- 
ments of his education. He studied a short 
time at a school two miles from his father's 
house, which he attended as a day scholar. 
Mr. Scott owned a farm at Bennington on which 
his sister, one of his eldest sons, and a daughter, 
resided. When Thomas was eight years of 
age, he was sent there for the purpose of attend- 
ing a school kept by a clergyman, and remained 
two years. At that time he was taught Writing, 
! 



b MEMOIRS OF THE 

Arithmetic, and Latin. He also, like most othef 
children, made proficiency in vicious habits, and 
once came very near drowning, in consequence 
of running into danger, in defiance of warning. 

Mr. Scott's eldest son had been educated as 
a Physician, but died at the age of twenty-five, 
of a malignant fever caught on board a Man- 
of-war. This induced him to wish to educate 
another son for that profession. Thomas being 
considered at the proper age to commence pre- 
paratory studies, and capable of readily learning 
Latin was selected for that purpose. He was 
accordingly sent to Scorton, one hundred and 
forty miles from home, and remained there five 
years, without seeing any relative or acquaint- 
ance. Owing to his father's liiiiited resources, 
his clothing was ordinary, yet he was tenderly 
taken care of, both in sickness and health by 
the kind lady with whom he boarded. The 
effect, however, of so long an absence from 
parents and other friends, together with the 
contagion of bad example and vicious habits, 
was very unfavourable to his moral and social 
character. It is natural for youth to dislike 
restraint however salutary it may be, but could 
they be made sensible of its present benefit, and 
happy fruits in subsequent life, they would re- 
gard it as one of their greatest blessings. 

When Thomas arrived at Scorton he was 
questioned concerning the Latin books he had 
read, and as he mentioned several of which he 
had only a superficial knowledge, the teacher 



'^WJ'rf^^WiWi^jai;, 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 7 

was induced to overrate his proficiency and 
place him in a class much above his attainments. 
This, instead of discouraging him, stimulated 
him to exertion, and by close application he soon 
overtook his classmates. Having accomplished 
this, and being able to keep up with his class 
without great exertions, and also to impose on 
his Preceptor, by an appearance of being more 
studious than he was, he became remiss in his 
studies. Like other boys he spent much of his 
time in play, and being in want of spending 
money, he used for a small compensation to 
help his fellow students in their exercises. By 
this means he obtained small sums of money, 
which he foolishly spent in trifles, or lost in 
gaming. He made hov/ever, considerable pro- 
gress in his studies and could translate Latin 
into English, and English into Latin, more 
readily than any other boy in school. But one 
thing was very remarkable, he could not com- 
pose themes. When attempting any thing of 
the kind, he really seemed to have no ideas, 
either then or for some years afterwards, and 
was even greatly at a loss to write a common 
letter. He looked upon nothing with so much 
surprise as large books, being utterly at a loss to 
conceive how they could be produced. This and 
other facts have suggested the idea, that to find 
composition a difficult task in a young person, is 
rather a promising symptom than the contrary. 
Precocity in writing is very often no other than 
the art of writing without ideas, while they who 



MEMOIES OP THE 



cannot write till they have thought, are more 
likely, eventually, to store their minds with 
valuable matter. 

During his five years residence at bcorton, 
Thomas passed through the various vicissitudes 
of sickness and health, danger and escapes, 
common to most youth, accumulated, perhaps, 
hy his violent temper and eager spirit. Unce 
he narrowly escaped death by a blow on his 
head, (the mark of which he carried to his grave) 
from a school-fellow, of as violent passions as 
himself, to whom he had offered a slight offence 
He had no faithful friend, or watchful parent 
nigh him to restrain his feet from the devious 
palhs of sin; and God was not m all his thoughts; 
of course his conduct was as immoral as want 
of money, pride, fear of temporal consequenc^es, 
and a natural bashfulness would admit it to be; 
except that by the force of education he was 
kept from habitual profanity, and never mdulged 
in it, unless in violent temper. His crimes 
generally escaped detection, but once he was 
publicly disgraced for robbing an orchard. It 
may with truth be said of him at that time, t/iere 
ivas no fear of God before his eyes. 

Thomas returned from Scorton in June 1762, 
and spent some weeks in visiting relatives and 
acquaintance ; during which time It was a matter 

of deliberation whether he snould return to 
Scorton for another year. This he anxiously 
desired with the hope that he might enter ^he 
University for which he thought he should be 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 13 

the superior force of temptation, that he secretly 
concluded reformation in his case was imprac- 
ticable. He was experimentally convinced 
that he was morally unable to stem the torrent 
of his own impetous inclinations, when incited 
by suitable and powerful temptations, and being 
ignorant that God had engaged to do it for the 
returning supplicating penitent, he stifled con- 
viction, and put off repentance to a more con- 
venient season. 

But leading him to consideration, was not the 
only good which an infinitely wise Providence 
brought out of his unhappy apprenticeship. 
Thomas was dismissed by his master before the 
premium agreed upon had been paid. His 
father resolutely refused to pay the remainder, 
and his master as resolutely refused to give up 
the indentures, until it was paid; and no com- 
promise was attempted. The consequence was 
that being nominally this person's apprentice, 
he could not be bound to another. Thus ho 
was prevented from pursuing medical studies, 
and a way prepared for him to become emi- 
nently useful in the church of Christ. Though 
we would justify the ways of God in his deal- 
ings with his servants, we cannot so easily justify 
the parent or the master in the case before us. 
The one had educated his son far from the reach 
of parental observation or restraint; the other 
had set him an ungodly example. Yet his 
apparent interests in life were sacrificed, or 
unwarrantably disregarded amid the contention^ 



14 MEMOIRS OP THE 

of these high spirited men; and the degradations 
arM hardships to which, as it will be seen, he 
was subjected through many succeeding years, 
appear to have been dictated rather by the 
mortified pride of his family, than by any just 
principle. Still his case was infinitely prefera- 
ble to that of youth who are allowed to continue 
in sin, unnoticed and unpunished, until they 
open their eyes in never ending misery beyond 
the grave. 

On his return to his father, Thomas was em- 
ployed in the most laborious and uncleanly parts 
of the work belonging to a grazier. He com- 
menced this business about the beginning of 
winter, and as much of his father's farm con- 
sisted of low land which was often flooded, he 
was introduced to scenes of hardship, and ex- 
posed to many dangers from wet and cold, for 
which his previous habits had not prepared him ; 
consequently he had freqiient and severe attacks 
of sickness, so that his life was more than once 
thought to be in imminent danger. Still a kind 
of indignant, proud self-revenge kept him from 
complaining of hardship; iliough of reproach, or 
of reproof, he was impatient even to irascibility. 
At the period of which we are now speaking, 
he had many serious thoughts of God and eter- 
nity, and every illness produced a sort of par- 
oxysm of religion, in which, after having prayed 
for pardon, in an earnest but ignorant manner, 
he felt assured of heaven; though as soon as he 
recovered, all his religion vanished like the 




REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 1 5 

laorning cloud. How many sick persoas fall 
into the same dangerous errour. Unaware of 
the strictness of the divine law, or of the nature 
of repentance and faith, they imagine that one 
or two cries for mercy will save them: they die 
contented, and awake in torments. Their sup- 
posed happy deaths are reported abroad; others 
are thereby induced to delay repentance until 
a sick bed, which perhaps renders them insensi- 
ble of their danger, and they also perish. 



CHAPTER II. 

Hardships from his sixteenth to his twenty-ninth year — At- 
tempts to obtain orders — His ordination — Accepts two cura- 
cies — His own reflections — An incident. 

After a few unsuccessful attempts to procure 
a place for Thomas to prosecute his studies, 
Mr. Scott placed him at work upon his farm, 
as has been already mentioned, where for more 
than nine years he was almost as much a drudge, 
and as little known beyond his immediate neigh- 
bourhood, as any pervant in his father's business. 
He was generally employed in tending cattle 
and sheep. In this service, by encountering 
all sorts of weather, he acquired habits of har- 
dihood and industry which were useful to him 
in subsequent life. But his situation led him 



1M MEMOIRS OF THE 

necessarily to associate with low and unprinci- 
pled persons. They flattered his vanity, incited 
his pride and instigated him to rebellion; while 
he embittered the mind of his father by accom- 

ianying them in their dishonourable diversions. 
)uring this period he retained his fondness for 
literary pursuits, and often beguiled the tedi- 
ousness of his laborious solitude by thoughts of 
future literary distinction. Hence he spent 
much of his leisure in reading such books as he 
could procure, and probably would have made 
considerable proficiency had he met with proper 
enc*ouragement. But in addition to the want 
of suitable books, he was continually subjected 
to the frowns and reproaches of his father, which 
induced him often to quit his books for low and 
abandoned company. The discontent that cor- 
roded his mind during several of these years, 
was extreme, and increased his natural harsh- 
ness, thus rendering him a great temptation and 
trial to his father, and others abo-ut him, to 
whom he generally behaved very disrespectfully. 
After some time, however, he became more 
reconciled to his lot, and concluded that though 
for his misconduct at Alford he was treated 
more harshly than others of the family, yet he 
should eventually be provided for as a grazier; 
and in consequence of this reflection, waking 
dreams of other pursuits, became less vivid in 
his mind. He had only one surviving brother, 
who was well situated on a farm; his father was 
far advanced in life, and Thomas expected he 




REV. THOMAS SCOTT. llf 

should succeed to his farm. At length he dis- 
covered that the farm was privately conveyed 
by will to his brother, and he was to be an un- 
der-tenant to him for a piece of land of small 
value. On this discovery, he determined to 
make some effort, however desperate, to extri- 
cate himself, and only waited for a suitable 
opportunity; in the mean time applying himself 
closely to his studies. In April, 1 772, he avowed 
his intention in a very harsh manner. After a 
long wet day of incessant fatigue, deeming him- 
self (and perhaps justly) causelessly and se- 
verely blamed, he gave full vent to his indignant 
passions, and throwing aside his frock, declared 
his purpose, never more to resume it. He 
spent the night at his brother's at a little distance. 
In the morning recollecting a piece of work, 
for which no other person was competent, he 
jreturned, and having accomplished it, sat out 
immediately for Boston, where a clergyman 
resided with whom he had some acquaintance. 
To him he opened his mind, yet not without 
hesitation and trepidation; and nothing could 
well exceed the astonishment of that gentleman, 
when he heard his purpose of attempting to 
become a clergyman. He immediately asked, 
^^ 1^0 you know any thing of Latin or Greek.'*'' 
He stated to him the education he had received, 
and was requested to read in the Greek Testa- 
ment. This he did without difficulty, rendering 
what he had read into Latin and English. The 
clergyman expressed his surprise, but observed. 



18 MEMOriRS OF THE 

*^ Our visitation will be next week; the Arch-" 
Deacon, Dr. Gordon, will be here, I will men- 
tion you to him, and induce him, if I can, to 
send for you." This being settled, he returned 
to his father for the intervening days, knowing 
how much, at that season, he needed his help^ 
in labours which he could no longer perform 
himself, and was not accustomed to entrust to 
servants. At the appointed time he returned 
to Boston and readily found access to the Arch- 
Deacon, who was also examining chaplain to 
the Bishop of Lincoln. After examination the 
Arch-Deacon assured him that he would state 
his case to the Bishop, and presumed he would 
ordain him. Thus encouraged, he expended 
all the little money he could raise for books, and 
applied diligently to study, particularly to im- 
prove his knowledge of Greek and acquire the 
ability of composing in Latin. He had acquired 
the talent of composing in English chiefly by 
corresponding with his sister on sentimental 
and other subjects. Mr. Scott's wish to become 
a preacher did not arise from any desire to do 
good, consequently his religious state was not 
at all improved; but a regard to decorum in- 
duced him to be more correct in his outward 
conduct than formerly, and he constantly attend- 
ed public worship and the Lord's Table. ^ 
Other circumstances concurred with his ea- 
gerness of spirit, to render it desirable that his 
affairs should have an early crisis. Those 
persons whom he was able to consult were ol 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 19 

opinion that he would be as likely to obtain 
ordination the ensuing Trinity Sunday, (June 
14, 1772,) as at any future time. This would 
not be seven weeks from the time he first left his 
father. He therefore procured a title to a small 
curacy, being obliged to walk above fifty miles 
for the purpose; got his testimonials signed, 
and other things in regular order. As the or- 
dination would be held in London, he forwarded 
his papers to the Bishop, and appeared himself 
at the appointed time. But on his arrival he 
was informed that as his papers did not arrive 
in season, and other circumstances were not 
satisfactory, he was not admitted a candidate. 
He earnestly entreated an interview with the 
Bishop, which was condescendingly granted. 
The Bishop questioned him respecting the cir- 
cumstances of his past life, his family, prospects, 
and reasons for entering the ministry. To all 
of which he answered with unreserved sincerity 
and frankness. The Bishop notwithstanding 
still negatived his earnest request to admit him 
as a candidate at that inordination, but told him 
if he would procure his father's consent, and a 
letter from some clergyman in the neighborhood, 
whom he knew, he should probably admit him 
at the next ordination. This answer induced 
a kind of despair. He was personally known 
to but few clergymen, and they disapproved his 
attempt, considering it in a high degree pre- 
sumptuous. He was now in his twenty-sixth 
year wholly without the prospect of a decent 



20 MEMOIRS OF THE 

maintenance; his father was decidedly against 
his design, of course he had Httle or no hope of 
succeeding. Having spent a short time in 
London, viewing its curiosities, (it being his 
first visit) and in visiting some relatives, from 
whom he received, what he considered inappro- 
priate counsel, undeserved rebuke, and a few 
small presents, he commenced his journey homo, 
by a circuitous rout, the direct way being about 
130 or 140 miles, and walked most of the way. 
He reached Br ay toft at noon, after walking 
twenty miles that morning, and having dined, 
resumed his ordinary habit, and sheared eleven 
large sheep in the afternoon. 

While we admire the franknesfs and energy 
of character, displayed by the subject of this 
memoir, we cannot but reflect for a moment on 
the motives by which he was actuated in aspiring 
to the clerical character. Previous to ordination 
he would be expected to answer in the affirma- 
tive to the following questions. *'' Do you trust 
that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, 
to take upon you this office and Ministration to 
serve God for the promoting of his glory and 
the edifying of his people ? Do you think you 
are truly called, according to the will of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and according to the canons of 
this church, to the ministry of the same?" But 
he was altogether governed by worldly motives, 
a desire of a less laborious, and more comforta- 
ble v/ay of living, with the expectation of more 
leisure to employ in reading, of which he was 




RBV. THOMAS SCOTT. 21 

inordinately fond — and a hope that he should 
one day distinguish himself in the literary world. 
So far from thinking himself " moved by the 
Holy Ghost," and called according to the will 
of our Lord Jesus Christ," one thought of the 
sacredness and responsibility of the office seems 
not to have entered his mind. That he was 
not cut off in his sins, but spared to make known 
the riches of divine grace, is cause of grateful 
joy to the church of Christ. 

Mr. Scott's attempt to obtain orders excited 
much curiosity and conversation, attended with 
no small degree of ridicule, even beyond the 
sphere of his personal acquaintance. This 
raised the family pride of his connexions, and 
though they regretted the attempt, they were 
unwilling to have it fail. In consequence of 
this sensation his brother and all his sisters met 
by appointment at their father's house, and 
with their mother, urged upon him as his indis- 
pensable duty, either to consent to his ordina- 
tion, or settle him on a farm. Accordingly 
after much debate, he gave his consent in 
writing to his son's entering into orders. Thus 
the difficulty which Mr. Scott regarded as in- 
superable, was unexpectedly surmounted, by 
which his hopes revived, and he was prepared 
to struggle against other obstacles that might 
intervene. 

Despairing of obtaining a letter to the Bishop 
from any clergyman in the vicinity, he applied 
to the vicar of Boston, who had some know- 




22 MEMOIRS OP THE 

ledge of his mother's family. The vicar treated 
him with much candour, yet as a truly consci- 
entious man, he said justly that he could not 
sign a testimonial, except for the short time that 
had passed since he first came to his house, 
but could give a favourable account from that 
time. And if he could get any suitable attesta- 
tion from respectable persons, though not cler- 
gymen, he would transmit them, with his own 
letter to the Bishop. Thus encouraged he 
went again to reside at Boston where he ap- 
plied diligently to his studies ; but was frowned 
on by his relatiA^es, and ridiculed by the mul- 
titude. 

At the ensuing Michaelmas ordination (Sept. 
20, 1772) he was admitted a canclidate, and 
examined with regard to his qualifications for 
ordination at Buckden by the Arch-deacon ; 
after examinaton on other subjects, he was 
questioned concerning the nature of miracles ; 
how real miracles might be distinguished from 
counterfeit ones ; and how they proved the 
truth of the doctrines in support of which they 
were wrought. This was, indeed, almost the 
only theological topic which he had studied 
with any tolerable attention. The Arch-deacon 
perceiving he began to be alarmed, kindly said, 
*' You need not be uneasy ; I only wished to 
try what you are capable of ; and I perceive 
that Christianity has got an able advocate in 
you." He was accordingly ordained deacon 
by the Bishop of Lincoln. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 2;^ 

On the Saturday evening previous to his 
ordination, the curacies of Stoke Goldington, 
and Weston Underwood in Buckinghamshire, 
were proposed to him. He had no pecuniary 
inducement to accede to the proposal, but the 
idea of appearing as a clergyman in a neigh- 
bourhood, where he had not been known in any 
other character induced him to listen to it. He 
went immediately from Buckden to Stoke Gold- 
ington, and having made the necessary ar- 
rangements for his removal there, returned to 
his friends in Lincolnshire. And now congra- 
tulations from every quarter, took the place of 
censure and ridicule. Of so vast importance 
is success or failure, in fixing credit or discredit 
on our undertakings. His former business 
could not remain a secret at Stoke : his frank- 
ness of manner soon let it be known, and his 
company was much desired by the farmers who 
•hoped to get useful hints from him concerning 
their own business. 

As a specimen of his early correspondence, 
and a confirmation of what has been said con- 
cerning his state of mind at the time, the fol- 
lowing letter is inserted which was written to 
his sister, the evening after the ordination. 

^^ Buckden, Sept. 20, 1772. 

'^ Dear Sister, — Success is always agreea- 
ble ; though there is a success that would have 
been mortifying ; but mine is of the most agree- 
able sort. Compliments, high compliments from 



^4 MEMOIRS OP THE 

both Dr. Gordon and my fellow candidates. 
As I have a little time to spare, I shall endeavour 
to give you a sketch of my companions here. 
The first I shall mention is a Scotchman, a man 
of parts. To a sound judgement he joins a most 
ready wit, and an agreeable affability. He 
tells a story in his Scotch dialect in the most 
humorous manner imaginable. He is equally 
qualified for serious or literary conversation ; 
and I have contracted something of an intimacy 
with him. His fault is, that he is too sensible 
of his own abilities. The next is a most solemn 
ignoramus ; a member of the university ; who 
knows just as much Latin as I did when I had 
been two years at Scorton. He is in deacon's 
orders : so, in solemn consultation, we made a 
theme for him ; and, as he is a man that bears 
a good character. Dr. G., I believe, knowingly 
overlooked it. Had we not assisted him, it 
would have gone nigh to have killed him. The 
third is a methodistical gentleman. He forms 
a very good contrast to some of the company ; 
they being too gay for their business, he is so 
sanctified that a song, a game at cards, or a 
joke, is to him a most capital offence. This I 
could overlook ; but his opinions are not mine ; 
and I had a duel with him, on my first arrival, 
concerning justification by faith alone. I be- 
lieve each claimed the palm of victory : I 
however, had the audience on my side. A 
fourth is a good-natured harmless person, no 
university man, who is easily pleased, and en- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 25 

deayours to please those about him : so I think 
I ought to have placed him a little higher in 
my list. The next is of the same class, but a 
less able person. The rest are Oxonian and 
Cantabrigian bucks, who know more of the 
wine and girls of their respective universities, 
and of setting-dogs, race-horses, and guns in 
the country, than of Latin and Greek, or di- 
vinity. The arch-deacon sweated two of them 
pretty well : but I believe they must pass mus- 
ter. In the examination I did what I v/ish 
undone, — I assisted one of them in his theme, 
both with thoughts and Latin, whom I have 
since found to be very unfit for what he is going 
to undertake : and, without assistance I am 
certain he would not have succeeded. You 
must excuse my vanity : at the present time I 
ipamiot avoid it. You may depend on the sin- 
cerity of my prayers and good wishes for you 
all, and that I am your affectionate brother." 

Speaking of his ordination, he afterwards says, 
*^ considered in all respects, I deliberately judge 
this whole transaction to have been the most at- 
trocious wickedness in my life. But I did not, 
at the time, in any degree regard it in this light, 
nor did I till long after feel any remorse of 
conscience for my prevaricating^ if not directly 
lying subscriptions, and declarations, and all 
the evils of my motives and actions in the 
whole concern. While I was preparing for the 
solemn office, I lived as before in known sin, 
and in utter neglect of prayer ; my whole pre- 



S6 MEMOIRS OF THE 

paration consisting of nothing else, than an 
attention to those studies which were more 
immediately requisite for reputably passing 
through the previous examination. 

Some passages from the ^ Force of Truth,' ^^^ 
book which he afterward published, containing 
an account of the change of his views on re- 
ligion, may here be advantageously placed be- 
fore the reader, — "At this period," says the 
author — referring to the time when he lived at 
home with his father, subsequently to his ap- 
prenticeship — " though I was the slave of sin, 
yet, my conscience not being pacified, and my 
principles not greatly corrupted, there seemed 
some hope concerning me : but at length Satan 
took a very effectual method of silencing my 
convictions, that I might sleep securely in my 
sins : and justly was I given over to a strong 
delusion to believe a lie, when I held the truth 
that I did know in unrighteousness. I met with 
a Socinian comment on the Scriptures, and 
greedily drank the poison, because it quieted 
my fears, and flattered my abominable pride. 
The whole system coincided exactly with my 
inclinations, and the state of my mind. In 
reading this exposition, sin seemed to lose its 
native ugliness, and to appear a very small 
and tolerable evil ; man's imperfect obedience 
seemed to shine with an excellency almost di- 
vine ; and God appeared so entirely and neces- 
sarily merciful, that he could not make any of 
his creatures miserable, without contradicting 



RfiV. THOMAS SCOTT. 27 

his natural propensity. These things influenced 
my mind so powerfully, that I was enabled to 
consider myself, notwithstanding a few little 
blemishes, as upon the whole a very worthy 
being. At the same time the mysteries of the 
'*' 'spel were explained away, or brought down 
to the level of man's conception, by such proud 
and corrupt, though specious reasonings. By 
acceding to these sentiments, I was, in my own 
opinion, in point of understanding and discern- 
ment, exalted to a superiority above the gene- 
rality of mankind ; and I pleased myself in 
looking down with contempt upon such as were 
weak enough to believe the orthodox doctrines. 
Thus I generally soothed my conscience ; and 
if at any time I was uneasy at the apprehension 
that I did not thoroughly deserve eternal hap- 
piness, and was not entirely fit for heaven ; the 
same book afforded me a soft pillow on which 
to lull myself to sleep. It argued, and I then 
thought proved, that there were no eternal tor- 
tnents ; and it insinuated, that there were no 
torments, except for notorious sinners ; and that 
such as should just fall short of heaven, would 
sink into their original nothing. With this wel- 
come scheme I silenced all my fears, and told 
my accusing conscience, that, if I fell short of 
heaven, I should be annihilated, and never be 
sensible of my loss." 

"In this awful state of mind I attempted to 
obtain admission into holy orders ! As far as 
I understood such controversies, I was nearly 



^8 MEMOIRS OF THE 

a Socinian and Pelagian, and wholly an Ar- 
minian." 

V' Thus with a heart full of pride and wicked- 
ness ; my life polluted with many unrepented, 
unforsaken sins ; without one cry for mercy, 
one prayer for direction or assistance, or for ia 
blessing on what I was about to do ; after hav- ' 
ing concealed my real sentiments under the 
mask of general expressions ; and having sub- 
scribed articles directly contrary to what I 
believed ; and after having blasphemously de- 
clared, in the presence of God and of the con- 
gregation, in the most solemn manner, sealing 
it with the Lord's supper, that I judged myself 
to be ' inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to 
take that office upon me,' — not knowing or be- 
lieving that there was any Holy Ghost, — on 
September the 20th, 1772, I was ordained a 
deacon." 

" For ever blessed be the God of all long- 
suffering and mercy, who had patience with 
such a rebel and blasphemer ; such an irreve- 
rent trifier with his majesty ; and such a pre- 
sumptuous intruder into his sacred ministry ? 
I never think of this daring wickedness, with- 
out being filled with amazement that I am out 
of hell — without adoring that gracious God, 
who permitted such an attrocious sinner to live, 
yea, to serve him, and with acceptance, I trust, 
to call him father, and as his minister to speak 
in his name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and, 
all that is iviihm m^p bless his hciy name ! Bless 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 29 

the Lordj O my soiil^ and forget not all his bene- 
jits ! who forgiveth all thy iniquities, and healeth 
all thy diseases ; who redeemeth thy life from de^ 
slruction ; who croivneth thee with loving-kindness 
and tender mercies ! May I fervently love, and 
devoutedly serve that God, who hath multiplied 
his mercies in abundantly pardoning my compli- 
cated provocations !" 

Notwithstanding Mr. Scott's severe censure 
on himself, it is not to be supposed that his con- 
duct was worse than that of many others, who 
rush uncalled into the sacred office. He viewed 
the subject in the glass of the divine law, 
where sin appears in its true colour. It is 
sincerely to be desired that all, who are thus 
guilty, would take a similar view of their con- 
duct, and imitate his subsequent engagedness 
in the cause of Christ. 

In this connection, it may not be improper to 
mention an incident, which, though trivial in 
itself, was important in its consequences. At 
the sheep-sheering which followed his disgrace- 
ful return from Alford, in 1762, a small ewe 
lamb, marked with a black spot on the side, in 
rather a peculiar manner, attracted his notice, 
and was given him by his father, and though 
kept among the sheep, was branded as his. 
Though he was always nearly moneyless, he 
never yielded to the temptation to sell any of 
the lambs which this ewe brought him, so that 
he possessed sixty-eight sheep, besides lambs, 
when he attempted to obtain orders. These, 
3 



30 MEMOIRS OF THE 

after many objections, his father purchased for 
sixty-eight pounds ; and this constituted the 
whole of his property. With this sum he paid 
the expenses of his whole course for the mi- 
nistry ; consisting of books, board, clothing, 
travelling expenses, &c., and had twenty guineas 
remaining when he entered on his curacies. 

It is also worthy of remark, that notwith- 
standing his irascible and undutiful temper to- 
wards his father, he never retained resentment 
against him, but quickly returned to some sense 
of filial duty. This may be seen in his re- 
peated returns to his father's assistance after 
leaving him. 



CHAPTER lit* 

Curacies of Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood^— En- 
trance at Clare Hall — Studies — State of the part of the coun- 
try in which he was situated — Death of his sister — First ac- 
quaintance with Mr. Newton — Marriage— Family Worship. 

We are now to contemplate the subject of 
our memoirs in his new and higher character of 
a minister of the established Church of England. 
His regular services were at Stoke and Weston 
Underwood. He took lodgings at Stoke and 
for a while officiated at Gayhurst, by which 
means he became acquainted with the family of 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 31 

George Wright e, Esq. by whom he was treated 
with much attention, and an acquaintance com- 
menced, which had an important bearing on his 
future life. 

Soon after Mr. Scott's ordination he learned 
that clergymen not educated at the University 
could enter at Cambridge, and without resi- 
dence, might after nine years take the degree 
of Bachelor of Divinity. And as it was repre- 
sented to him as one step towards that distinc- 
tion which he coveted, he went to Cambridge 
for the purpose. There his vanity was gratified 
by the applause he received. He entered his 
name at Clare Hall, where it remained several 
years; but afterwards, finding it too expensive 
for his income, and becoming interested in con- 
cerns of infinitely more consequence than world- 
ly honours, he withdrew it. 

No sooner was he fixed in a curacy, than he 
applied himself closely to the study of the learned 
languages, and such other subjects as he con- 
sidered most conducive to his future advance- 
ment. He spared no pains, shunned as far as 
he could with propriety, acquaintance and di- 
version, and retrenched from his usual hours of 
sleep the better to accomplish his object. At 
the period of his visit to Cambridge, nine months 
afler his ordination, he had read through the 
entire* works of Josephus in the original Greek; 
which is of itself no ordinary proof of his dili- 
gence. 

The following is his own account of his »tud- 



3i2 MEMOIRS OF THE 

ies, contained in a letter to his sister, dated 
Sept. 18, 1773. " I have for some time pursued 
my studies with assiduity, but I have only lately 
got to pursue them with method. I am now 
about three hours in the day engaged in the 
Hebrew. The books I use are a Hebrew Bible, 
grammar and Lexicon, the noted Septuagint, or 
Greek translation so much talked of, and a 
comment. I began at the first chapter in Gene- 
sis and I intend to go through the whole Bible 
in that manner. You will see the manifold 
advantage of thus reading the scriptures. The 
original text, a Greek translation two thousand 
years old and above, our translations and com- 
ments, read carefully and compared together, 
word by word, cannot fail to give a deep insight 
into the sense of the Scriptures; and at the 
same time, two languages are unitedly improv- 
ing. The same I am doing in the Greek, and 
profane history. I am reading old Herodotus 
in the original, in Latin and English. For each 
book read, whether ancient or modern history, 
I have my maps laid before me, and trace each 
incident by the map; and in some degree also 
fix the chronology. So that, though the lan- 
guages are my principal study, history, geog- 
raphy, chronology, divinity, go hand in hand. 
Neither is logic neglected. I have set about 
that in some degree; not the dry scholastic 
forms, but the useful art of tracing our judge- 
ments to their origin, and building our reasons 
or references on due foundation ; or tlie art of 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 83 

arguing justly from well grounded principles. 
In the writing way I have just now begun a 
very arduous task, but, I hope, not too arduous. 
I have fixed upon our saviour's sermon on the 
mount, and have undertaken in a course of ser- 
mons to go through it. My design is to shew, 
that in that short discourse is comprehended 
every, christian virtue, every moral duty; that 
it is not, as is generally apprehended, a loose 
set of detached maxims, but a regular, consist- 
ent system of morality. What I shall make of 
it I know not; but I think I shall, by well con- 
sidering each article, comparing it with other 
parts of scripture, and the situation of man in 
this world, find out many beauties, at least to 
me before undiscovered. I have already found 
in it far more than ever I observed before, or than 
other authors I have consulted have noticed, 
I will assure you, the propriety of each sentence, 
the wisdom, the thorough knowledge of the hu- 
man heart, appear to me most admirable." 

'' You now see in what manner I spend my 
time. I find my taste for study grow on me 
every day. I only fear I shall be like the miser, 
too covetous. In fact I really grudge every 
hour I employ otherwise. Others go out by 
choice, and stay at home by constraint; but I 
ever stay at home by choice, and go out because 
I am persuaded it is necessary. In every other 
expense I am grown a miser. I take every 
method to save: but here I am prodigal. No 
cost do I in the least grudge to procure advan- 
. 3* 



34 MEMOIRS OF THE 

tageous methods of pursuing my studies. So 
far is a multiplicity of studies, a diversity of pur- 
suits, from overburdening my memory, that by 
exercising it, I find it in a high degree more 
retentive ; as well as the comprehending faculty 
more quick. Nothing can give greater satis- 
faction than these considerations do. I proceed 
with alacrity; I think with expedition. Of the 
Hebrew, some twenty weeks ago, I knew not a 
letter; and I have now read through one hun- 
dred and nineteen of the Psalms, and twenty- 
three chapters of Genesis; and commonly now 
read two chapters in the time above mentioned, 
tracing every word to its original, unfolding 
every verbal difficulty. But enough; I know 
to whom I write ; I am sensible that these things* 
will give you some pleasure in the perusal, and 
that you will overlook any spice of vanity which 
may appear." 

We here see the means by which he was led 
by Providence to become such " an able advo- 
cate for the truth." The result was probably 
the farthest imaginable from his views, at the 
time of which we are speaking. During all his 
thirst for knowledge and distinction, he never 
neglected his weekly preparations for the Sab- 
bath: Indeed diligence seems to have been an 
elementary ingredient in his character. May 
it not suggest a salutary admonition to many 
clergymen who it may be hoped, are actuated 
by purer principles, than at that time influenced 
the subject of these memoirs? 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 35 

Mr. Scott was situated in a part of the country 
where the people were generally poor and 
ignorant. He described it in this manner. 
*' The country is pleasant, the villages large 
and populous; but the people poor, ignorant 
and idle. Half of them have little more knowl- 
edge, save the art of lace-making, than they 
were born with. There are no schools any 
where for the poor; and they have no means of 
instruction but at church, where the greater 
part never come. Those that have any religion 
are almost all methodists and fanatics of one 
sect or other; and for my part, I regard them 
as the best portion of my parish, for any religion 
is better than none. A part of the country 
affords a better prospect, but taking the whole, 
I think it remarkably poor and ignorant ; though 
within fifty miles of the metropolis of the most 
polished country in the world." Mr. Scott ap- 
peared actuated by a laudable desire to do these 
people good, and as we proceed we find this 
desire gradually gathered strength. From Wes- 
ton where he had removed his lodgings, we find 
him writing in 1774. " I wonder people think 
they cannot do good. The circle I move in is 
jat present so contracted that the circumference 
almost touches the centre; yet I should belie 
my own heart, should I say that I never had it 
in my power to do good, I hope, (for God alone 
knows the heart,) that I have been instrumental 
in my calling, towards instilling better princi- 
ples into the minds of some of my flock. This, 



3,6 MEMOIRS OF THE 

at least, is my desire: from this I promise my- 
self present satisfaction, and something in future 
of more consequence." A year later, speaking 
of Stoke he says. " Stoke is an ignorant, and 
for that reason a wicked place. I would wish 
to do something to remove both the cause and 
the effect. They are also as poor as they are 
ignorant and vicious. Now, assisting their 
bodily wants is the best means to prepare the 
way for assisting their other wants. But my 
station in life prevents my doing much in that 
on my own account. But by means of my in- 
timacy at Mr. Wrighte's, I am not totally desti- 
tute of opportunity. When any person is sick, 
I make it my business to visit him, both in my 
pastoral functions, and as a friend, to inquire 
into his disorder and circumstances, which done, 
I represent the case to Mr. W. who has not 
hitherto failed to consider one so represented. 
This prepares the way for good advices and 
instruction, and also renders others more wil- 
ling to attend to me." He took particular care 
to form the minds of youth, and impart to them 
moral and religious instruction. 

In 1773 he lost a sister, whose death had a 
very powerful effect on his mind. He felt it to 
be his duty to take upon himself the edu- 
cation of her youngest son, to whom he was 
God-father, and accordingly sometime after 
took him into his family, and though his means 
were limited, supported him, till at a proper age, 
he bound him apprentice to a grocer. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 37 

While Mr. Scott resided at Stoke, the broth- 
er of the person with whom he boarded, an 
apothecary at Olney, often called and conversed 
with him on various subjects. This gentleman 
once mentioned Mr. Newton, (the famous Mr. 
John Newton) as a very singular character. 
He gave him full credit for blameless and be- 
nevolent conduct, and for diligence as a minis- 
ter, but said he was an enthusiast in a very 
high degree. " I cannot" said the Apothe- 
cary, " tell what judgment to form of his 
preaching, it is like nothing which I ever heard; 
I wish you would come and hear him and tell 
me what you think of him. He preaches on a 
Thursday evening; come and dine with me, and 
we will go to church together." This was ac- 
cordingly settled and executed. Mr. Scott sat 
in front of the pulpit, and thought Mr. Newton 
looked directly at him when he entered the desk. 
When he named his text, to his great astonish- 
ment it was this. ^' Then Saul (v,^ho is also 
called Paul) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his 
eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtlety and 
all mischief, thou enemy of all righteousness, 
w ilt thou not cease ta pervert the right ways of 
the Lord." Acts xiii, 9, 10. As he knew Mr. 
Newton preached extempore, he took it for 
granted, he had chosen the text on his account. 
Mr. Scott thought the doctrine abstruse, imagi- 
native and irrational, and Mr. Newton's manner 
uncouth. And the impression, that tlicugh Ely- 
mas was named, he was intended, remained on his 



38 MEMOIRS OF THE 

mind for some time. Nor was it wholly effaced 
till he discovered some years after, that he was 
regularly expounding the Acts of the Apostles, 
that this passage came in course that evening, 
and that, in fact, he neither saw nor thought 
of him. The idea that he was aimed at, served 
him at that time as a subject of merriment, and 
afterwards, when he knew Mr. Newton better, 
but had not obtained an explanation, it appeared 
to him unaccountable. 

In January, 1774, while Mr. Scott resided at 
Weston, two of his parishoners, a man and his 
wife, lay at the point of death. He heard of 
the circumstance, but according to his general 
custom, not being sent for, took no notice of it, 
till one evening, the woman being dead, and 
the man dying, he heard that his neighbour 
Mr. Newton, had several times visited them. 
Immediately his conscience reproached him 
with being shamefully negligent in sitting at 
home, within a few doors of the dying persons, 
his general hearers, and not visiting them. It 
occurred to him, that whatever contempt he 
might feel for Mr. Newton's doctrines, his prac- 
tice was more consistent with the ministerial 
character than his own ; he must have more 
zeal and love for souls or he would not have 
walked so far to visit and supply his lack of care 
for those, who as far as he was concerned, 
might have been left to perish in their sins. 
He humbled himself before God, and resolved 
to be more attentive to his duty in future. He 



HEV. THOMAS SCOTT. 39 

went without delay to visit the survivor ; and 
the affecting sight of one person already dead, 
and another expiring in the same chamber, 
deepened his impressions, confirmed his reso- 
lutions, and from that time he was constantly 
attentive to that part of a parish minister's duty. 

While curate of Weston Underwood he was 
induced by a friend to read the conclusion of 
Bishop Burnett's History of his Own Time. 
His perusal of that part which relates to the 
clergy, was attended with important effects 
He was instructed and impressed by it. Was 
convinced that his entrance into the ministry 
had been the dictate of wrong motives ; was 
preceded by an unsuitable preparation, and ac- 
companied by very improper conduct. At this 
period he lived without any secret religion. 
His convictions, however, would be no longer 
silenced or appeased, and he entered upon a 
form of devotion — formal indeed in some re- 
spects, for he neither knew that Mediator 
through whom, nor that Spirit by whom prayers 
are offered with acceptance unto the Father. 
Yet his mind was, even at this time, evidently 
approximating towards that happy consumma- 
tion to which it at length arrived : happy for 
him, happy for the church. ^'^ 

Mr. Scott had always avowed his resolution 
to marry as soon as he should have the pros- 
pect of maintaining a family, and his ambitious 
projects never altered his purpose. After many 
merciful disappointments, as he afterward found 



40 MEMOIRS OF THE 

them to be, he became acquainted with Miss 
Jane Kell whom he first met at a christening, 
and won her money at cards. She was of a 
respectable family in Northumberland, but her 
father not having profited by the wise man's 
admonition, He that hateth suretyship is sure, had 
impoverished himself to pay other men's debts, 
which rendered it necessary for their children 
to procure their own livelihood. She was now 
Mr. Wrighte's housekeeper and had continued so 
long in the family that she was respected as a 
relative. Mr. Scott was married Dec. 5, 1774. 
The connection proved a happy one, and met 
the approbation of all his friends. Though Mrs. 
Scott was not found in an elevated station, she 
was, through life, and in all circumstances, a 
'' help meet" for him to whom she was united. 
She was one of those disinterested, friendly, 
cheerful and kind persons who conciliate the 
esteem of all their acquaintance. She possess- 
ed in an eminent degree, sense, prudence, and 
sensibility, and was admirably calculated for the 
management of domestic concerns. She pos- 
sessed the advantages of a good education and 
much reading, and was endowed with refined 
Mid generous sentiments. One proof of her 
generosity was her declining his first proposals, 
though perfectly agreeable to her, because she 
believed the connection would be disadvantage- 
ous to him. This he learned directly from Mrs. 
Wrighte, without Mrs. Ws being able, either 
previously, or at the time she told him the fact, 
to imagine who had been refused. 



R£V. THOMAS SCOTT. 41 

With regard to Mr. Scott's finances, it may 
be propter to observe, that at this time, his sala- 
ry and other perquisites amounted to nearly £60, 
In addition to this he was engaged by Mr. Wrighte 
to instruct his son in the first rudiments of lenrn- 
ing; going to his house, three miles distant^ 
every day for that purpose, for which he received 
c£30.* 

Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Scott had been mach 
coversant with religious persons. Neither of 
them understood the grand outlines of the goss-^ 
pel, though both of them had a strong impres- 
sion of its general truth and importance. Her 
impressions were deeper than his, and met with 
less counteraction from false principles and evil 
habits. Before they had commenced house- 
keeping, the thought seemed to occur to both 
simultaneously, that they ought to pray together; 
accordingly he read prayers from a book. On 
commencing housekeeping he established family 
worship, though he had never lived in any family 
where it was practised, nor ever been present at 
such a service, except once, which was in the 
house of a dissenting clergyman. At first he 
only used a form, from a manual belonging to his 
wife. After a little while he accompanied it by 
a portion of scripture; and as his views of reli- 
gion gradually improved, he exchanged hiis 
manual for Jenks' Devotions. At length he was 
led to adopt extemporaneous prayer, and by 

* English Money. £1 being equal to $4 44, 
4 



42 MEMOIRS OF THE 

degrees proceeded to expound, as well as readt 
the Scriptures to his family. This practice he 
continued through life. Sometimes he had rela- 
tives visiting in his family, to whom the practice 
was so disagreeable that they would not, by 
change of posture, profess to join in his family 
devotions. 

To young people who have been religiously 
educated, it may seem strange that any person 
should arrive at the age of twenty seven years, 
be settled in the Gospel ministry, and have been, 
but once in his life, present at family worship. 
It is believed such a circumstance could not 
occur in New England. Yet even here, there 
is an awful neglect of this important duty. It is 
surprising that any who live in christian society, 
especially any who call themselves christians, 
should live in such open violation of duty . Bent, 
as the human heart is, to depart from God, how 
destructive to the youthful mind must be the 
tendency of living in families where there is no 
acknowledgement of a Providence, nor outward 
form of worship sustained; where they meet 
with nothing to remind them of God their Crea- 
tor, and Christ their redeemer; that they are 
accountable creatures, and probationers for 
eternity. Among the various means of grace 
afforded us, none can have a happier tendency, 
than to be reminded of the being, perfections, 
and providence of God, by the daily returning 
seasons of devotion. 



KEV. THOMAS SCOTT, 43 



CHAPTER IV, 



Removal to Ravenstone — Birth of his two eldest children — 
Correspondence with Mr. Newton — Some alterations in his 
religious views — Letters relative to this subject — Devotes 
himself to his calling — Extemporary preaching. 

Within a few months after Mr. Scott's mar- 
riage, he was led unexpectedly to exchange his 
curacy of Stoke for that of Ravenstone, the next 
village, and removed to that place in the summer 
of 1775. He resided there but a short time, 
though he retained the curacy until 1781. "At 
this place," he says, " I resided about two years, 
and it proved, as it were, a Bethel to me. Here 
I read the scriptures and prayed. Here I sought, 
and, I trust, found in a considerable measure, 
the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. I 
was not indeed, brought to say with unwavering 
voice, as Thomas did of old. My Lord and my 
God; but I learned to count all but loss for the 
excellency of the kno^vledgc of Christ. Here I 
was first made the instrument of bringing several 
persons earnestly to ask the all-important ques- 
tion. What must I do to be saved ? and here I 
learned, in some degree, to give the scriptural 
answer. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christy and 
thou shall be saved. I did not however enter so 
deeply into the practical use of the truths to 
which I acceded, as might have been expected; 
but in many things which I have since consid- 
ered as wholly indefensible, I conformed to the 



44 5IEM0rRS OF THE 

world, and, by so doing, was, in great measure, 
sheltered from scorn and reproach." 

The first sermon he preached after having 
embraced these new views of religion was from 
Gal. iii, 22, The scripture hath included all under 
isin, which was the means of awakening many to 
serious consideration; and a considerable num- 
ber of persons, who had been previously igno- 
rant and careless about religion, became con- 
sistent and zealous christians. Here his two 
eldest children were born. The first a daughter, 
died at the age of four and a half years. The 
other a son, survived him. 

About this time he commenced a correspond- 
ence with Mr. Newton. At a clerical meeting 
in May 1775, they exchanged a few words on a 
controverted subject. It was in the room with 
the clergy, and Mr. Newton prudently declined 
the discourse; but a day or two after he sent 
him a short note, with a little book for his peru- 
sal. This was exceedingly gratifying to Mr, 
Scott, and he gladly embraced the opportunity 
which seemed to offer, expecting his arguments 
would prove irresistible, and he should have the 
honor of rescuing a well meaning man from what 
he considered his enthusiastical delirium. He 
accordingly wrote him a long letter hoping to 
draw from him such avowal and explanations of 
his sentiments as might introduce a controver- 
sial discussion of their religious differences. 
But he did not succeed in his object. Mr. New- 
tori returned a very friendly letter but declined 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 45 

all controversy. The correspondence com- 
menced in this manner, and nine or ten letters 
were exchanged. Mr. Scott used every en- 
deavour to draw Mr. Newton into controversy. 
Mr. Newton, on the other hand, shunned every 
thing controversial, and filled his letters with 
the most useful and least offensive instruction, 
and such matter as he judged suited to help him 
forward in his enquiries after truth. Mr. Scott 
found he could not obtain his end, and at his 
suggestion the correspondence was discontinued, 
and the acquaintance was, for a season, almost 
wholly broken off. For a considerable time 
they seldom met, and then only interchanged a 
few words on general topics of conversation. 
Yet Mr. Newton repeatedly told him, to his no 
small offence, that he would one day accede to 
his religious principles; and he constantly in- 
formed his friends that Mr. Scott, though slowly, 
was surely feeling his way to the knowledge of 
the truth. This expectation was principally 
grounded on the following circumstance. In 
May, 1775, while Mr. Scott's thoughts were 
much engrossed by some hopes of preferment, one 
Sabbath, during the time of divine service, when 
the Psalm was named, he opened the Prayer 
Book to turn to it, and his eye met the eighth 
article of Religion which respects the authority 
and warrant of the Athanasian creed, which 
immediately arrested his attention. His disbe- 
lief of the doctrine of the Trinity, and his pre- 
tensions to candour, both combined to excite his 
4* 



46 MEMOIRS OP THE 

hatred to that creed: for which reason he had 
been accustomed to speak of it with contempt, 
and to neglect reading it officially. No sooner, 
therefore, did he read the words, " that it was 
to be thoroughly received, and believed; for 
that it might be proved by most certain warrants 
of holy Scripture," than his mind was greatly 
impressed and affected. The matter of sub- 
scription immediately occurred to his thoughts, 
and from that moment he conceived such scruples 
about it, as remained insuperable, till his views 
of the whole system of Christianity were entire- 
ly changed After a violent conflict between 
interest and conscience, he determined not 
to subscribe. His hopes of preferment were 
thus deliberately relinquished; and with an in- 
creasing family, he- was left, as far as human 
foresight could discern, with little other prospect 
than poverty and distress. He afterwards dis- 
covered that his objections to the articles were 
groundless, and that much self-sufficiency, undue 
warmth of temper, and obstinacy were discov- 
erable in his conduct. But his adherence to 
the dictates of his conscience, and holding fast 
his integrity, in such trying circumstances, was 
justifiable an'Si even praiseworthy. 

Letters written in the crisis of such a conflict, 
which is known to have had such an issue, and 
laying open the whole soul of the writer, cannot 
fail to interest anyone, who takes pleasure in 
studying the workings of the human mind, and 
the operations of divine grace upon the heart. 




9 



rW. THOMAS SCOTT. 4Tf 



The following letters from Mr. Scott to his sister 
are of this character. 

The first is to his eldest sister, dated at Stoke, 
July 12, 1775 — in the interval between Mr. N.'s 
first and second letters to him. 

" Both from information of what passes around 
me and my own experience, I am convinced 
that this is a fluctuating scene of restless agita- 
tion, and that the only way to enjoy any tolera- 
ble degree of comfort, is by a constant endeavour 
to keep a conscience void of offence^ and to attain 
to something of an indifference in regard to this 
world, fully trusting in God, that he will make 
all things work together for good to them that 
fear him, and endeavour before all things to obey 
him. As this is written to one that knows what 
trouble is, — so is it written by one, who, among 
blessings which he has received from the God 
of goodness, has also experienced troubles, and 
does so yet; and is now more likely than ever to 
meet with trials, more than in general fall to the 
share of man. We should learn to place a more 
firm and steady dependence on the wisdom and 
goodness of our heavenly friend and father, and 
more firmly to believe those promises he has 
made us ; so as not to be driven from our confi- 
dence in the day of trial and gloomy disappoint- 
ment, being assured that he will never forsake 
us, if we forsake not him. As Christians we 
should remember that troubles are the touch- 
stone of our faith, patience, meekness and resig- 
nation; and, if well supported, will xBorh for us 
a ino7X exceeding xveight of glory. 



4S MEMOIRS OF THE 

" I now turn to my own affairs. I had rather 
not speak concerning them but for two things: 
first, lest you should hear of them from others; 
and, second, lest you should think I had not that 
confidence in you that I have in others. I know 
I cannot speak of them without saying a great 
deal, and perhaps at last without saying so much 
as to excuse me in your mind from censure. I 
have had too ambitious and interested views, and 
have placed my expectations and desires too 
much on the emoluments of the ministry, and 
too little on the labours. In my studies and 
schemes I have more anxiously consulted by 
what means I might advance myself, than how 
I might make myself useful as a minister of the 
gospel. But it has pleased Providence, that, by 
means of those very studies on which I founded 
my hopes of advancement, but which have been 
carried on in a direction much different than I 
intended, I have arrived at a disposition of heart, 
and a train of thinking, which are totally incom- 
patible with all my hopes of preferment. In one 
word, I have discovered the importance of that 
trust which is committed to me; what is the ex- 
tent of that duty it requires; and how it ought 
to be performed: and I find it something incon- 
ceivably different from what one would suppose 
it to be, from the too general, and well nigh 
universal conduct of those to whom it is commit- 
ted. I have also discovered what true unadul- 
terated Christianity is, and find it not exactly 
what even our creeds and articles represent it. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 49 

I have arrived, in point of conscience, at per- 
haps an Hinnecessar J scrupulousness, insomuch 
that I cannot, either through hopes of gain and 
favour, or through fear o#ioss and censure, do a 
thing that my heart disapproves. I have arrived 
at a critical nicety in examining and weighing 
expressions, and comparing one thing with 
another, which I endeavoured to attain as a step 
to advancement; but the supreme Director has 
turned it into an insurmountable obstacle. With- 
in sight, as it were, of preferment, I have met 
with what has put a period to my present ex- 
pectations, and has caused me formally to re- 
nounce them." He then states his disapproba- 
tion of many things in the Articles, and particu- 
larly his utter repugnance to the Athanasian 
creed, both its doctrine and its damnatory claus- 
es; and then proceeds: " This is the trial that 
is now upon me. If by subscription be meant 
an avowed assent to the truth of every proposi- 
tion contained in what we subscribe, I can never 
subscribe these Articles, without telling a most 
audacious lie in the face of God, in a solemn 
and important matter of religion, for the sake of 
sordid lucre. Such a lie would wound my con- 
science, and forfeit His favour, m ivhose favour is 
life; and riches would make me but poor amends. 
On the other hand, if I resolve not to subscribe, 
I must at present renounce all my aspiring hopes, 
and be content to be a poor, and perhaps de- 
spised curate, and censured into the bargain. 
But yet this is the far better side of the question; 



50 MEMOIRS OF THE 

for God has promised, and I dare believe, that 
he that seeketh the kingdom of God and his right- 
eousnesSj shall be supplied with what He sees 
that he wants: that he, who leaves any worldly 
treasure for his sake and the gospeVs, shall be 
amply rewarded even in this life: and that him, 
who is not ashamed of Christ and of his words j He 
will not be ashamed to own; and the contrary. 
I have therefore chosen this side of the question, 
and hope by God's assistance to persevere there- 
in. But, should preferment be offered, I shall 
venture to ask, whether the above be the right 
definition of subscription or not. If they mean 
any thing else, and will say so — I mean that a 
man may subscribe without believing every part 
— I then could subscribe. It is true, subscrip- 
tion would be then a farce: but that is their bu- 
siness. But, by the unaccountable conduct of 
Mr. W., the affair is noised so much abroad, that 
I do not suppose I shall ever have an offer : nor 
do I desire it. I am at present very composed, 
and resigned to my disappointment; and only 
wish for a rather better curacy, in a parish where 
I could live, and spend my whole time in the du- 
ties of my function. At first I was sadly agita- 
ted, which was increased by the warm censures 
I received. In addition to other things, I doubt 
I have in part lost Mr. W.'s favour. But that 
God in whom I trust, and in obedience to whom 
I act, can raise me up another and better friend. 
He has supported me hitherto, and has brought 
my mind to a dependence on him: and I do not 



HEV. THOMAS SCOTT. 5l 

fear that he will leave me destitute. I have btit 
80/. a year in all, (including payment for the 
tuition of Master Wrighte,) and it is not very 
improbable that I may get a curacy of that value 
alone, as I do not mind what confinement it 
brings, nor how much work I do. Besides, I 
deem it my duty, (could I do it,) to confine 
myself entirely to my office as a minister, which, 
whatever people may think, is employment suf- 
ficient for any man, when it is duly discharged. 

The following is to his youngest sister, (afl;er- 
wards Mrs. Ford,) dated the next day, July 13, 
1775. 

'' Dear Sister, Amidst a hurry of concerns, I 
undertake to write an answer to your kind letter . 
but can never answer it in any thing of a correct 
manner, as my head is full of thoughts, and my 
heart of cares. As to the afiair which engrossed 
my last, I can say but little, lest I should again 
fill my sheet about it. Every day more firmly 
convinces me, that my cause is the cause of 
truth, and makes me more resolved to adhere to 
it at all adventures, confiding in God Almighty 
for support and assistance. I mean, that I will 
never purchase preferment at the price of sub- 
scription — if by subscription be meant an avowed 
assent to the truth of every proposition contained 
in the thirty-nine Articles. If those who require 
subscription will put any more favourable con- 
struction upon it, that may alter the case. 

'' Since I wrote my last, I have had severe 
trials, of which I must give a brief account. I 



52 MEMOIRS OF TH£ 

wrote a letter with the intention to publish it, 
which I resolved first to shew Mrs. W., as I 
thought it was using Mr. W. ill, if I did not 
make known my resolution to him, that he might 
not trouble himself further on my account. Ac- 
cordingly I did let her see it: and the conse- 
quence was, that for several days I was almost 
baited out of my life. All manner of accusations 
were heaped upon me: — vanity, hypocrisy, ob- 
stinacy, &c. I was tempted on one hand with 
hopes, and alarmed on the other with fears. 
Even starving was mentioned. But such argu- 
ments were made use of, as shewed me the 
weakness of the cause that needed them. Con- 
science, religion. Providence, a future scene, 
were all made a mere jest of. But I was bold, 
and did not betray the cause of God and religion, 
but preached them some such sermons, (I mean 
in conversation,) as they never had before heard, 
I think. However the letter was sent, but no+ 
published; which I cannot account for, as I 
desired the printer to send it back, if he did not 
choose to publish it. But, strange to tell, these 
very persons who opposed my publishing — 
which, among bad consequences might have 
produced good ones, (as every body allowed the 
letter to be unanswerable, and, at the same time, 
modest and decent, and such as would in some 
measure apologise for itself,) — ^these very per- 
sons spread the report all over the country, so 
that no one can be ignorant of my sentiments 
and resolutions; yet none has the opportunity 



REV. I'HOMAS SCOTT. 55 

of seeing the reasons, on which they are ground- 
ed, fairly stated. At the same time I gave con- 
siderable offence by my endeavours to preserve 
a degree of authority over my pupil, v^hich occa- 
sioned some disagreeable circumstances. These 
censures, added to the trial of relinquishing all 
my fond hopes, and renouncing my worldly in- 
terests, and aggravated by all the terrours, by 
which, in the day of trial, every thing is magni^ 
fied, was well nigh more than I could bear. 
But by God Almighty's assistance, to whom I 
applied for direction and support, in a manner 
that, I hope, was acceptable through his mercy, 
I soon composed my agitated mind, and reduced 
it into a state of resigned acquiescence in his 
will, and trust in his promises. In adherence 
to the cause which I think good, I am ready to 
resign all my worldly expectations, and to sell 
all that I have, take up my cross, and follow my 
Lord and Master. To this state of crJm com^ 
posure I arrived chiefly by reading the Gospels, 
and supposing the promises therein contained 
addressed to me by divine veracity : and I have 
by that means, joined with prayer to God for 
direction and assistance, arrived at that state of 
mind, as to be ready to give up all my aspiring 
thoughts, and to content myself to serve God in 
the humble condition of a curate, if such be his 
will: though I cannot, nor can all the world, 
exclude me so effectually from preferment, but 
that God can give it me, if he sees good. This 



o4 MEMOIRS OF THB 

advantage I most certainly reaped from it, that 
it has caused me more carefully to examine the 
holy scriptures, and to turn my thoughts more 
to these subjects, and to the consideration of 
that important trust which is committed to me, 
and how I may discharge it, so as, while I preach 
to others, I may not be myself a cast-away. 
This has been a most valuable acquisition, as I 
was before too apt to judge by comparison, and 
to think I did enough, if I did rather more than 
others: but now I find th^t, as I have been 
solemnly dedicated to the service of God and 
religion, I can never do enough, so long as I 
leave any thing undone, which it was in my 
power to do, towards the growth of religious 
knowledge, an3 virtuous practice. I have 
found that those, who enter the ministry for the 
sake of the riche^, and honours, and indulgen- 
cies thereby to be obtained, are guilty of a most 
aggravated i^ime: ^^ndthat a zeal for the prop- 
agatiQ j»>^^ ne Gospel and the salvation of souls; 
a willihghess to undertake any labours, and an 
alacrity in undergoing them; a ready submis- 
sion to inconvenience, and a constancy amidst 
difficulties; being capable even of bearing con- 
tempt and censure, or poverty, when laid in the? 
way of our duty; a warm benevolence ; and that 
kind of humility which can condescend to the 
meanest offices for the sake of doing good; are 
the indispensable dispositions for a faithful 
minister of the gospel. We are to live at the 
altar: but a living, a bare decent maintenance. 



JO^ 



>il 



^^■^ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 55 

without any avaricious or ambitious views of 
advancing ourselves or our families, or hanker- 
ing after indulgencies, should content us. We 
are required to set an example of moderation, 
and trust in God and his promises; of heavenly 
mindedness; laying up our treasures in heaven; 
setting our affections on things above; having 
food and raiment being therewith content; in 
order that, with the greater advantage, we may, 
as we are in duty bound, inculcate these things 
on our flocks; — all this I have learned, or 
confirmed to myself, and have, by God's grace, 
fixed my resolution to endeavour to attain. And, 
being assured that, if I do so, he will never 
leave me destitute, I am perfectly contented, 
as far as relates to this affair, only desiring that 
I may be able to persevere in my duty, and, 
with an entire dependence, leaving the further 
disposal of my concerns to God." 

The last extract is from a letter to Mrs. Web- 
ster, dated Ravenstone, October 15, 1775. 
^' In what you say of my religious scruples, you 
seem in several errours concerning me and my 
conduct, which I must endeavour to rectify. 
You seem afraid I should lose all this world's 
goods. Remember our Saviour's words, Who- 
soever he be that forsaketh not all that he hath, he 
cannot be my disciple: that is, if he be not ready ^ 
to forsake all that he hath, when his duty re- 
quires it. Not that I have any reason to ap- 
prehend I am likely to be put to that severe 
trial. Thanks to the Almighty, my circum- 



6(j MEMOIRS 0F THE 

stances mend, my friends multiply, and I have 
reason to think that my reputation, as a faithful 
minister, increases rather than diminishes, — if 
one may judge by external respect, civilities, 
and favours. Not that I am so far ruled in my 
opinion of myself by what others judge of me, 
as to be reconciled to my faults because they 
are willing to pardon them. My conscience 
must be my judge in this world, and my Saviour 
in the next : and to them I appeal for the recti- 
tude of my intentions. But even were I to be put 
to the trial of losing all my worldly goods, let me 
ask you, would you have me follow the example 
of the young man in the Gospel, who, sorrowing 
left Christ, rather than part with his large pos- 
sessions ? What think you of what our Lord 
says. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness y and all other things shall be 
added unto you ? Dare you believe this promise 
or not ? I Dare: and will act accordingly, by 
God's assistance. As to what you argue of my 
family, &lc. I will take every honest precaution 
to provide for them: and I dare confidently sub- 
mit the event to God, without once distrusting 
his veracity and goodness. Nor will I ever 
violate my conscience to provide for my family: 
at least I hope I never shall. Were I in your 
condition as a private Christian, the subjects of 
my scruples would give me no concern: and I 
join in the whole liturgy of the church, some 
very few things excepted, with the highest satis- 
fiiction. As to my preaching, I neither preach 



•'•V-T^W. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 51 

for or against any human inventions. The word 
of God is my subject and my rule; and my 
preaching, I may venture to say, is more calcu- 
lated to satisfy than to raise doubts and scruples. 
Without preferment I may live, and live com- 
fortably and happily: but without a clear con- 
science I cannot. I am a minister of the church 
of England, and hope to continue so, as I pre- 
fer her liturgy, her discipline, and her doctrine, 
to that of any other society of christians in the 
universe: and if, by subscribing her articles, 
they will declare they mean no more than such 
a preference, I will subscribe: but, if they mean 
by subscription an implicit belief of all their doc- 
trines, it is a price I will not pay for preferment. 
Mr. Lindsay I think in many dangerous errours, 
and I am sorry my father has got his book." 

In these letters we see that though the wri- 
ter was far from having obtained just views 
of christian doctrines, even of those doctrines 
which are most essential to the formation of the 
christian spirit and character he had received, 
that great principle of obedience to the faith," 
which was sure, under the divine blessing, ul- 
timately to bring him right; to lead him to the 
reception of every truth, and to submission to 
every duty, as they might be successively 
brought home to his conviction. It is presum- 
ed no one can doubt that he was at this time in 
the use of humble prayer to God, and attentively 
reading the scriptures. Indeed the right use 
of prayer — making God our refuge in time of 



58 MEMOIRS OF THE 

need — is apparent, and the genuine effect of 
true prayer follows, which is composure of mind 
in committing events to God, while we keep in 
the path of duty. 

During part of the time that Mr. Scott re- 
sided at Ravenstone, he daily attended Mr, 
Wrighte's son; but in proportion as he became 
more decidedly attentive to religion, his compa- 
ny was less agreeable, and some difference 
arising about the management of an indulged 
child, he was dismissed from his employment. 
For some time afterwards he lived on terms of 
civility with the family, but on his decidedly 
adopting and avowing evangelical sentiments, 
the connection was, as nearly as possible dis- 
solved. As Mr. Wrighte was an influential 
character, the loss of his influence in his favour, 
was a serious disappointment. Some part of 
that time also, he had two young relatives from 
London under his care as students, but ha\ing 
learned to trust in the Providence of God for 
temporal subsistence, and finding sufficient em- 
ployment, in learning and teaching religion, he 
relinquished the business of tuition, and solemnly 
vowed before God, never more to engage in any 
pursuit, study or publication which should not 
be evidently subservient to his ministerial use- 
fulness, or generally, to the propagation of 
genuine Christianity; and for several years he 
scarcely opened a book which treated of any 
thing besides religion. This, however, did not 
continue to be the case when his decisions were 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 59 

inade and his mind well stored with theological 
information Then his reading became more 
various and extensive. But the determination 
at that time, so solemnly formed, so faithfully 
kept, and eventually productive of such impor- 
tant results, must certainly be noticed as a very 
observable point in Mr. Scott's history The 
proceeding was characteristic, shewing his usual 
determination of mind. Considering the ambi- 
tious views which had influenced his entering 
into orders, and the deliberate sacrifice ofthose 
views which was made by the resolution before 
us, we can hardly avoid looking upon it, as 
marking a mind just arrived at that point of its 
christian progress, at which, after many delays 
many hesitations, and misgivings, conflicts and 
tears perhaps for the consequences, it is at 
length brought to coutit all but loss for Christ — 
finds the pearl of great price, and goes and sells 
all that he may buy it. Blessed is that servant 
called by the Lord to his work of the ministry 
who thus gives himself wholly thereto m 
profiting shall be known unto all men; his labour 
slmll not be m vain in the Lord; he shall be 
blessed m his deed. 

Notwithstanding Mr. Scott's determination 
with regard to his own literary pursuits, it be- 
came his sentiment that every student should 
be as excursive in his researches, as his par- 
ticular calling would admit, and make all his 
acquisitions bear upon some useful object. He 
earnestly pressed young men to acquire solid 



1Mb 



60 MEMOIRS OF THE 

learning that they might consecrate it to the 
service of God. At this time he had no pros- 
pect of preferment, andhttle prospect ofretain- 
mg the curacy he then held; yet with an increas- 
ing family, he seldom felt any anxiety about a 
comfortable supp?R*t, and his wife fully concurred 
with himi She would say to him, " only act 
according to the dictates of your conscience ; 
we shall doubtless be provided for." Yet 
whenever she saw that his eager spirit and 
violent temper were hurrying him into wrong 
measures, she uniformly checked him, and 
though not till much opposition on his part, she 
always carried her point, to his unspeakable 
benefit, as he afterwards acknowledged. After 
he had prepared his sermons for the sabbath, 
he constantly read them to her before they were 
preached, and at her suggestion he altered many 
things, especially in simplifying the language, 
and adapting it to the comprehension of his 
hearers. It may be proper to mention that Mr. 
Scott's practice of extemporary preaching com- 
menced from this custom. Something had oc- 
curred in the parish, to which he thought it 
right to allude in the pulpit. But on reciting 
the sermon to his wife, she objected to it, and 
induced him to be of her opinion. He in con- 
sequence laid aside the discourse, and was thus 
on Saturday evening, left without one for the 
ensuing Sabbath. This rendered it necessary 
to address his congregation extempore^ and suc- 
ceeding in the attempt, he repeated it; and by 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 6l 

degrees, discontinued the use of written sermons. 
The change, however, was not made without a 
severe effort. 



/I 



/ T tHAPTER V. 

Removal to West6n — Death of his Parents — Correspondence 
with Mr. Newton renewed — Sickness — Practice of medi- 
cine among the poor — Playing cards — Letter to his sister. 

In the Spring of 1777, Mr. Scott removed to 
Weston Underwood, to a house afterwards 
known as the residence of the Poet Cowper. 
In the following August his father died. He 
had become reconciled to his son's being a cler- 
gyman, but not to his new views of christian 
doctrines. His mother died in October follow- 
ing. The death of his parents was to him a se- 
vere affliction, particularly on account of their 
own spiritual concerns. They did not give 
that Evidence of having embraced the truth 
as it is in Jesus, which to him seemed desira- 
ble, and he considered his father's religious 
sentiments as peculiarly erroneous. Pious 
children who have buried affectionate, but un- 
holy parents, can best judge of his feelings. 

In a letter dated April 15, of this year, he 
thus adverted to his father's religious sentiments. 
^^ I am grieved whenever I think of some no- 



ii MEMOIRS OF THE 

tions which my father used to hold, which are so 
directly contrary to true christian doctrine, and 
grounded on self-dependence, which is most as- 
suredly destructive of the whole scheme of justi- 
fication throiM^h Christ. He has given me per- 
mission to \^te on these subjects, and I have 
written several letters already, which must, I 
think, convince him, that man has no ground to 
hope for acceptance with God on his own ac- 
count, or through his own poor deservings. It 
is amazing to consider what havoc this self-de- 
pendence makes among the christian duties. 
Gratitude for abundant mercies received, and 
praise and thanksgiving in consequence; prayer 
to God for forgiveness, for assistance, and for 
acceptance; irtshort, every part of piety and the 
love of God suffer exceedingly from these no- 
tions ; and so doth humility, which is of all oth- 
ers the most needful to our acceptance with 
God, who resisteth the proudy and giveth grace to 
the humble. Indeed I cannot conceive that a 
man can become a christian, who does not feel 
that he is a poor lost sinner, that has no hope 
but from God's mercy through Christ." 

About the time of Mr. Scott's removal to 
Weston, his intercourse with Mr. Newton, 
Avhich had been suspended since the termination 
of their correspondence in December 1775, was 
renewed. Having occasion to call upon him 
when under some discouraging circumstances, 
he derived such consolation from his conversa- 
tion that he contracted a strong affection for him* 



py' 



u 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. i^ 

From that time he was inwardly pleased to have 
hitn for his friend, though not as afterwards did 
he rejoice to call him so. , 

Mr. Scott received £170 from his father's 
estate, but as he was obliged annually to draw 
upon the principal, it was gradudjy exhausted. 
He had frequent attacks of sickness. After one 
long and dangerous illness, which had occasion- 
ed heavy additional expense, his wife, who 
generally exercised much fortitude, lamented 
th^ increase of their debts, as the medical 
charges amounted to more than £10. Trusting 
in Providence he confidently said, " Now ob- 
serve if the Lord do not in some way send us 
an additional supply to meet this expense, which 
it was not in our power to avoid." In the after- 
noon of the same day, while he was absent on 
parochial duties, a gentleman called and left him 
a paper which entitled him to £10 from a sum 
of money that was left for the relief of poor 
clergymen. To persons who are accustomed to 
observe the operations of divine Providence, 
this will not appear strange.: Many are the 
kind interpositions in favour of the children of 
God, who exercise strong faith in him, nor are 
they confined to pecuniary concerns. 

About this time Mr. Scott began cautiously, 
and under the direction of an eminent Physi- 
cian, to administer medical assistance to his 
poor neighbours. He had previously paid some 
attention to the study of medicine, and now 
having a skilful adviser, he increased his knowl- 



64 MEMOIRS OF THE 

edge, and had considerable success. This be- 
nevolence eventually added nothing to his ex- 
penses, as he received medical assistance gra- 
tuitously ever after. 

In this year (1777) Mr. Scott's religious en- 
quiries were|krought to a decisive result. In 
the course ofit his views became clear, and his 
sentiments established successively upon the 
doctrines of the atonement, human depravity, 
the Trinity, justification, the work of Holy Spir- 
it, and finally on personal election. He was 
also enabled, after many conflicts with himself, 
to make his last and most self-denying sacrifice, 
that of reputation; and calmly, yea cheerfully, 
to sufter reproach, and to be accounted a fool 
for Christ's sake. About the close of this year 
he began to hear with profit Mr. Newton 
preach; and being established in the belief of 
the great truths of the gospel, to cherish their 
proper influence upon his own heart and life, and 
performed his parochial duties with increased 
assiduity and faithfulness. 

Some extracts from a letter to his sister, of 
the 15th April, may bear both on the facts which 
have been just related, and on ihose which are 
next to follow. 

" It is an uncommon degree of fortitude to be 
able to set one's face against the world, and to 
act contrary to its received maxims and customs. 
The soldier, who is bold as a lion in the day of 
battle, turns coward here, and dares not refuse 
a. challenge, though his reason, his religion, tb^ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 65 

laws of the land, and his own inclination, are 
all directly contrary to it: though his life and 
soul are at stake. Such a tyrant is custom! 
Who dare oppose him ? I will tell you who : 
the confirmed Christian. Who is he that over- 
cometh the ivorldl Even he that be^veih that Je- 
siis is the Son of God, And this is the victory ^ 
even our faith. These are the only men who 
ever dare to obey God rather than man, where 
the two are in direct opposition. But it is not 
every Christian, no, nor every good and pious 
Christian, who can thus courageously act, and 
undauntedly follow the dictates of conscience, 
when friends, relations, and all those whom one 
had been used to reverence and love, are of a 
contrary opinion; especially if the case be dubi- 
ous, and much may be said on both sides. This 
is the last victory the Christian gains. He will 
master, by that grace which is given of God, his 
own lusts and passions, and all manner of in- 
ward and outward temptations; he will be dead 
to the interests, pleasures, and diversions of the 
world; and his affections will be earnestly set 
upon things above; long before he has master- 
ed this fear of men. Etere I find my own defi- 
ciency, as much or more than in any other re- 
spect: and often I feel an inward timidity, when 
about to preach an unpopular doctrine, or ex- 
pose a foible which some one of my congrega- 
tion, whom I otherwise love and esteem, is re- 
markable for, and in every instance I feel the 
greatest reluctancy to resign the good opinion, 
6 



SB MEMOIRS OP THE 

or act contrary to the judgment of those fot 
whom I have an esteem. It is true I am pecul- 
iarly bound to strive against this, by reason of 
my ministerial office. I am to speak boldly, 
not as a man-pleaser^ but as a Servant of God: 
and thereforl^ I endeavour to master all these 
fears, and to act implicitly as niy conscience 
suggests, without respect of persons. Con- 
formity to others in things unchristian, the fear 
of men, a servile spirit of time-serving, &c. are 
the faults of ministers, and effectually hinder 
even those who desire it, from performing the 
most important parts of their ministry, both in 
public preaching and by private application. 
But this kind of spirit goeth not out but by a 
very spiritual and devout course of life. In- 
deed its expulsion is the gift of God, and is to 
be specially sought for from him. To betray 
the more important, in order to secure the lesser 
interest, is a thing I could not do ; and I have 
too great an opinion of your sincerity in your 
profession as a Christian, to think you would 
wish it. But perfection is not attainable here; 
and, had we nothing else to trust to for accept- 
ance with God, but our own imperfect righteous- 
ness, we should have little to support us, and 
should have a strong temptation to despair, as 
soon as ever we became acquainted with the 
strictness of God's law, and our own transgres- 
sions of it, daily and hourly repeated. But 
thank God, the wound is no sooner given, than 
the remedy is applied : our self-dependence is no 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 



67 



sooner undermined, than we are supplied with 
a more sure ground of dependence, even the 
merits and sufferings of our crucified Redeemer. 
May you and I, and all ours, have, by true, 
lively, humble faith, an interest in him!" 

In the summer of 1777, Mr. H%gins, a gen- 
tleman resident in Weston, returned from Lon- 
don in a very ill state of health. Mr. Scott 
looked upon him as in imminent danger of 
death, and as wholly unprepared for that solemn 
event, yet no one gave him any intimation of 
his danger. Mr. Scott felt it his duty to do it; 
but the task was a difficult one. He was not 
only much older than himself, but his superiour 
and benefactor, and he was fearful of offending 
him and his family, should he attempt to warn 
him of his danger. He, however, resolved to 
be faithful, and leave the event ; and after 
committing the case to God, he wrote him an 
affectionate and faithful letter, informing him of 
his danger, and his own fear respecting his 
future state. This letter was thankfully re- 
ceived by the sick man, and he was requested 
to visit him as a minister, which he did as long 
as Mr. Higgins lived, and lost no favour by his 
faithfulness. 

It has been observed that Mr. Scott's religion 
had not that practical effect that was desirable. 
The following is proof of the justice of that 
remark, and also of his willingness to conform to 
duty when made known to him. In the former 
part of his life, he had been exceedingly fond 



OS MEMOIRS OP THE 

of cards, even to gaming. Ill success on one 
occasion had cured him of that propensity; 
eager pursuits, after other objects had rendered 
cards an indifferent amusement, though he oc- 
casionally played, that he might avoid the 
appearance oT too much precision in religious 
practice, considering it a harmless, 4tough 
frivolous amusement. In Jan. 1778, bel^ on 
a visit to one of his parishioners in Ravenstone, 
after dinner he called on some of the poor peo- 
ple in the neighbourhood ; when a female re- 
marked to him, " I have something which I wish 
to say to you, but I am afraid you may be offend- 
ed." He answered that he could not promise, 
but hoped he should not. She then observed, 
^' You know A. B. he has lately been attending 
to religion, and has spoken to me concerning 
the sacrament ; but last night he with C. D. 
and some others, met to keep Christmas, and 
they played at cards, drank too much, and in 
the end quarrelled, and raised a sort of riot. 
And when I remonstrated with him on his con- 
duct, as inconsistent with his professed atten- 
tion to religion, his answer was, ' There is no 
harm in cards, Mr. Scott plays at cards.' " 
This smote him to the heart. He saw that if he 
played at cards, however soberly and quietly, the 
people would be encouraged by his example to go 
farther. And if St. Paul would eat no flesh while 
the world stood, rather than cause his weak 
brother to offend, it would be inexcusable in him 
to throw such a stumbling block in the way of his 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 



69 



parishioners. So far from being offended at the 
hint thus given him, he felt thankful to his faith- 
ful monitor, and promised her that she should 
never have occasion to repeat the admonition. 
In the evening he related the circumstance 
to the company, and avowed his determination 
never to play at cards again, and from that time 
he wM)lly renounced the practice. 

Instead of being harassed with solicitations, he 
was never asked to play afterwards as he expect- 
ed. He also refrained from riding on the sabbath, 
when he found that his parishioners made it an 
excuse for spending a considerable part of the 
day in riding for business or convenience. It is 
to be wished that clergymen in this respect, would 
follow his example. Though they may improve 
the time spent in riding on the sabbath in devout 
contemplation, it is not to be expected, that 
those who make use of their example as an ex- 
cuse for attending to worldly business on the 
Lord's day, will spend the time in that manner. 
If clergymen walk near the brink, others will 
fall down the precipice. If it is latvful for them 
to ride on the sabbath, it certainly is 7iot expedient. 

Mr. Scott's unreserved avowal of the change 
which had taken place in his religious views 
and purposes, even induced most of his ac- 
quaintance to avoid him; thus he escaped hear- 
ing the many scoffs and reproaches which were 
uttered against him in his absence. His vicar 
at Ravenstone, in proportion as he became more 
decided in his views, and discriminating in his 
6* 



7f MEMOIRS OF THE 

preaching, showied much hostiUty to his pro- 
ceedings. 

At Weston Mr. Scott was much afflicted in 
his family; he buried two children, and the only 
surviving one was dangerously ill, but was 
mercifully spared, and survived his father. 
There he wrote and published his well known 
'' Force of Truth." 

It was Mr. Scott's unhappiness, that in em- 
bracing the truths of the gospel he incurred the 
opposition not only of his acquaintance but 
of most of his relatives; though they were 
ultimately brought to acquiesce in his senti- 
ments. The following letter to his youngest 
sister, dated July 27, 1779, will show with what 
spirit he encountered their opposition, the state 
of his own mind at that time, and that though 
he had a certain roughness of exteriour, he pos- 
sessed an affectionate heart. 

^' Hitherto,'' he says, " I have kept silence, 
yea even from good ivords : but it was pain and 
grief to me, I would, however, once more re- 
mind you, that you have a brother — who was 
no hypocrite when he assured you that he loved 
you, at least as well as any relation that he had 
in the world, his wife and children excepted; 
that your interest and welfare were always near 
to his heart; that he would have been glad, if 
it had pleased God, to have had it in his power 
to evidence this to you by some important ser- 
vice: that his love is not waxed cold, nor in the 
least diminished; but on the contrary; that he 



REV. TH03IAS SCOTT. 71 

loves you as well, and wishes you better than 
ever; and that, seeing he can do nothing else, 
he never forgets, in his daily prayers; to com- 
mend you and yours, soul and body, to the love, 
care and blessing of his* God and Saviour. Dear 
sister, I can truly say with Paul, that I have 
continual sorrow and heaviness in my hearty for 
my brethren according to the flesh : but on account 
of none so much as you. All the rest, though 
not seeing with my eyes, are friendly and civil, 
and not willing quite to give me up: but you 
have totally turned your back to me: — the fa- 
vourite sister, whose heart seemed so closely 
knit to mine by the dearest and most confiden- 
tial friendship, as the nearest relative ties ! The 
very thought brings tears into my eyes, and I 
weep while I write to you. And what have I 
done to offend you ? — It has pleased the Lord, 
through my study of his word, with prayer 
for that teaching which he hath promised, to 
lead me to a different view of the gospel of 
Jesus Christ, than I had embraced: and not 
only so, but to lead me from seeking the favour 
of the world, and my own glory, to seek God's 
favour, aim at his glory, and derive happiness 
from him. A happiness I have therein tasted, 
to which I was before a stranger — that peace of 
God which passeth all understandings and which 
as much excels, even in this world, any thing I 
had before experienced, as the cheering constant 
light of the noon-day sun exceeds the short- 
lived glare of a flash of lightning, which leaves 



T2 MEMOIRS OF THE 

the night more dark and gloomy than beforer 
Having found that good I had long been seek- 
ing in vain, I was desirous to tell all I loved, 
in proportion as I loved them, what the Lord 
had done for me, and how he had had mercy on 
me ; that they might find, what I knew they too 
were seeking, true happiness. Come^ taste and 
see how gracious the Lord is, arid how blessed the^ 
are that 'put their trust in him, was the language 
of my heart. But, for want of experience and 
prudence, forgetting my own principle, that 
none can come to Jesus except he be taught of 
God, (John yi, 44-^ — 46,) I was much too earnest, 
and in a hurry: said too much, and went too 
far: and thus, out of my abundant love, sur- 
feited you. Forgive me this ^vrong ! It was well 
meant, but ill-judged, and worse received. O 
my dear sister, I wish you as happy as I am 
myself, and I need wish you no happier in this 
world. To call God my father; to confide in 
his love; to realize his powerful presence; to 
see by faith his wisdom choosing, his love pro- 
viding for me, his arm protecting me ; to find him 
(my sins notwithstanding,) reconciled to me, and 
engaged to bless me; to view him seated on a 
throne of grace, bowijig his ear to my poor pray- 
ers, granting my requests, supplying my wants, 
supporting me under every triaj, sweetening and 
sanctifying every trouble, manifesting his love 
to me, and comforting me by his Holy Spirit; 
to look forward to Heaven as my home ; and to 
fee able to say at night, when I go to rest, if I 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 73 

die before morning, I shall be with my gracious 
Lord, to enjoy his love for ever: This is my 
happiness : and what is there in the world worth 
comparing with it ? 

* Let worldly minds the world pursue. 

It has no charms for me ; 
Once I admir'd its trifles too, 

But grace has set me free." 

— Peace with God, peace of conscience, peace 
in my family, peace with all around me — these 
are the blessings of peace which God gives his 
people. May God give them to you! — I say 
no more upon doctrines: only search the scrip- 
tures, and pray to be taught of God. If I have 
said too much this time on the subject, I will 
sa}^ less next letter. Only acknowledge me as 
a brother, and do not quite disown me as an incor- 
rigible fanatic, because I believe the scriptures, 
and exhort you to read them, and pray to under- 
stand them. 

- ''I have written a book, now in the press, 
which will be published in three weeks time, 
giving an account of the grounds and reasons 
of the change you so much wonder at; chiefly 
for the use of my former friends. As you used 
not to consider me as a fool, do not condemti my 
book as foolish, without reading it, and that at- 
tentively: and, where we difler, do make it a 
part of your prayers, that whichever of us is 
mistaken may be directed to the truth." 



74 MEMOIRS OF THE 



CHAPTER VI. 

Proposal of the Curacy of Olney — Small pox — Removal to 
OIney — The Poet Cowper — Journey to Lincolnshire — In- 
creasing labours — Visit to Shropshire — Discourse on Re- 
pentance. 

On Mr. Newton's removal to London in 1780, 
he proposed to Mr. Scott to succeed him in the 
curacy of Olney. To this he was extremely 
reluctant, being unwilling to leave Ravenstone; 
and presuming that his plain, distinguishing 
style would be unacceptable to the people in 
Olney. He was convinced that even from Mr. 
Newton, they would not endure what he should 
deem it duty to inculcate: and connected with 
his comparative youth, he felt confident they 
would not receive it from him. Mr. Newton's 
persuasions, however, with those of a few of his 
friends, extorted his unwilling consent. But as 
soon as it was known in the parish, such an 
opposition was excited, that the matter was 
abandoned. 

About this time the small pox prevailed in 
Ravenstone, and as Mr. Scott had little confi- 
dence in the neighbouring physicians, and none 
in the nurses, he called in an eminent physician, 
and under him he acted the physician, apothe- 
cary, and almost nurse. Nearly all his time 
for some weeks was employed among fhe sick. 
Yet violent clamour was raised against him, and 
alarming threatenings uttered, because he al- 



ilEV. THOMAS SCOTT. 75 

lowed his patients the free respiration of fresh 
air. Prejudices against inoculation were also 
very high, which occasioned him considerable 
perplexity. Notwithstanding, he still continued 
to attend upon the sick. He kept an old suit 
of clothes in a hovel at Ravenstone, and before 
going among the sick, changed his dress in the 
hovel, and again resumed his usual dress before 
he returned to his family. But he met with 
base ingratitude, and once deliberately resolved 
to go no more among the people. While cher- 
ishing this determination, the words of the 
Apostle, Be not overcome of evil^ but overcome 
evil ivith goody occurred to his recollection. It 
at once set him right, and converted his des- 
pondency into humble confession, thankful 
praises, and fervent prayer. He persevered in 
his labour of love, and the event proved highly 
gratifying and creditable. He spent much time 
during this trying season, in earnest, secret and 
social prayer; and every prayer seemed to be 
answered and exceeded. He had many vexa- 
tions and perplexities, but would gladly have 
suffered them all again, if he might enjoy the 
same proportion of consolation, receive as much 
benefit to his own soul, and be instrumental of 
as much good to others. In this respect many 
christians will respond his sentiments. Though 
afflictions press them to the dust, underneath 
them are the everlasting arms, and they would 
willingly return to their sorrows to enjoy the 
consoling presence of their God. 



76 MEMOIRS OP THE 

Mr. Scott expended a considerable sum in 
medicines and cordials for the relief of the sick, 
for which, considering his circumstances, he was 
highly censured. But soon after he received 
from some person to him unknown, a sum more 
than sufficient to reimburse all his expenditures. 
A confirmation of the truth, that there is no 
risk in expending money, in an urgent case, and 
from good motives; and that a penurious pru- 
dence, springing from weak faith, is impolicy as 
well as sin. The divine direction is, " Cast thy 
bread upon the waters y'* with the promise annex- 
ed, " Thou shalt find it after many days. ^^ Were 
we to consult our own temporal interest, we 
should more frequently invest our property in 
the never-failing bank of benevolence. There 
we are sure of compound interest for ourselves 
and our children. And when we have the glory 
of God in view, it is laying up treasure in heav- 
en which will never fail. But aside from per- 
sonal happiness, practical benevolence assimi- 
lates the character with that of our Beneficent 
Father, and diffuses happiness all around us. 
Who that has tasted the sweet delight of doing 
good, can ever look with satisfaction on hoarded 
treasure, or covet inglorious ease. 

If like Mr. Scott, we meet with ingratitude 
and contumely for our most disinterested exer-* 
tions, it is but the same return which we have 
already made to Him who died for us. 

The person who succeeded Mr. Newton was 
unhappily selected, and proved a very unworthy 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 77 

character, and left that place in about a year. 
A deputation, including some of his former op- 
posers, called on Mr. Scott, and earnestly re- 
quested him to accept the vacant situation. He 
felt a reluctance to complying, hesitated for 
some time, and went to London to consult some 
clergymen of his acquaintance. They all con- 
sidered it his duty to accede to the proposal, 
which he accordingly did. But the late curate 
of Olney, managed so as to secure to himself 
the parish of Ravenstone, very much to the 
affliction of Mr. Scott, who like other faithful 
pastors had a tender regard to the welfare of his 
spiritual children in that place. The new curate 
did much mischief there, but it was mercifully 
of short continuance. Mr. Scott's income at 
Olney was smaller than at Ravenstone, so that 
his removal there was not to his secular advan- 
tage. Indeed he was often very much straight- 
ened, and sometimes discouraged; but he con- 
tinued faithfully to perform his parochial duties, 
and even more than could with propriety, be 
required of him. Ever after he embraced the 
peculiar doctrmes of the Gospel, he constantly 
preached w^eekly lectures. His congregations 
were small but select. They mostly consisted 
of his spiritual children, and he gave them those 
particular instructions, cautions and admoni- 
tions which suited their peculiar circumstances, 
and which could better be imparted on such 
occasions than in the public assembly. 
7 



78 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Many, who in the view of charity are pious 
ministers of the gospel, apparently consider it 
a waste of their time and talents, to write and 
deliver a lecture to a few hearers; as though a 
feiv souls were not worth their care. Preaching 
the gospel was not instituted for the display of 
talents, or the acquirement of wealth or fame, 
but to save souls and advance the Redeemer's 
kingdom. And those ministers, who from mo- 
tives of disinterested benevolence, spend their 
time and strength for the spiritual good of their 
fellow creatures, are entitled to confidence and 
gratitude. 

It will be recollected that Olney was the resi- 
dence ot the Poet Cowper. After Mr. Scott 
had resided there about a year and a half. Lady 
Austen took lodgings in the house which he 
occupied. This added <£10 to his annual in- 
come. She was also instrumental in procuring 
a subscription for him. In the vicarage house 
at Olney, during Lady Austin's residence there, 
most of those events which are recorded in the 
life of Cowper relative to this period, occurred. 
Here the Task was imposed and undertaken. 
Here John Gilpin was told as a story in prose, and 
the plan formed of giving it circulation in verse. 
These may appear small incidents, in them- 
selves considered, but as relating to the Christian 
Poet, they will not be uninteresting to the ad- 
mirers of his works. At this place, Mr. Scott's 
fifth child, a son, was born, which lived only 
six months, and suffered much during its short 



(^t^ 



REV. THOMAS s'cOTT. 7S 

life. Soon after its death, he visited his friends 
in Lincolnshire, and derived much satisfaction 
from the journey. He found his friends more 
cordial, more disposed to listen to him, and 
some of them apparently pious. He was much 
animated, conversed freely and fluently upon 
religion, and returned home with sanguine hopes 
that good would be effected by his journey. 
Speaking of it afterwards in a letter to a friend, 
he said, '' This it seems was more than my poor 
foolish heart could bear; there needed some 
bitter to counteract all this sweet; therefore my 
kind and wise Physician (having mercifully 
brought me home first) immediately discerning 
the danger, applied the remedy; and I am very 
base if I do not heartily thank him for it." The 
remedy was a severe attack of the asthma to 
which he was subject. 

After Mr. Scott became curate of Olney he 
was gradually led into the practice of preaching 
lectures on week days (in addition to his weekly 
lectures in both his parishes) at various and 
distant places, where he had acquaintance who 
were desirous to hear him. This custom was 
expensive, and, owing to the state of his health, 
extremely self-denying. He often rode seventy 
or eighty miles, and preached four or five ser- 
mons between Monday morning and Thursday 
noon; while more than half the night he sat up 
in his bed, in houses where he was a stranger, 
unable to lie down from oppression of breath ; 
and on his return home, and sometimes previ- 



80 MEMOIRS OF THE 

ously, was obliged to have recourse to strong 
antimonial emetics. His asthma was so severe 
that he was often obliged to apply a blister by 
way of preparation for his Sabbath labours. By 
means of this itinerary habit, Mr. Scott was 
rendered extensively useful. The Rev. Dr. 
Carey, well known as a Baptist missionary in 
Bengal, once said of him, " If there be any 
thing of the work of God in my soul, I owe 
much of it to Mr. Scott's preaching, when I 
first set out in the ways of the Lord." It must 
have been exceedingly gratifying to his benev- 
olent heart to have been made instrumental in 
promoting the spiritual benefit of any one, but 
especially of such a distinguished mind as Dr. 
Carey possessed. How little do we realize the 
tendency of our actions on the eternal interests 
of others. It is well known that Dr. Carey is 
better entitled than any other individual, to the 
praise of having given the first impulse, to the 
extraordinary exertions of the present age, for 
extending the knowledge of Christianity in the 
world. Yet it is probable that Mr. Scott little 
thought, when addressing the assemblies before 
him, that he was contributing to the formation 
of an individual mind, whose influence would be 
felt, not only in his own country, but in India, 
to the latest posterity. Nor need this remark 
be confined to public characters. The influ- 
ence of the most obscure individual, though not 
so extensive, is as abiding, and will be the 
means either of increasing the number of those 



BET. THOMAS SCOTT. 81 

who shall sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, 
or of peopling the dark regions of woe. 

In the summer of 1783, Mr. Scott made a 
visit to Shropshire, and was there confined with 
a very dangerous illness for several weeks. So 
often was he under the chastising rod of his 
Heavenly Father, that we are led to wonder 
how he could find time to perform his almost 
incredible labours. At Olney he published a 
Thanksgiving Sermon, on the close of the 
American War, preached July 29, 1784. And 
about nine months after, his Discourse on Re- 
pentance. The latter was preached first at 
Olney, and afterwards at Paulerspury in North- 
amptonshire, where it was instrumental of per- 
manent good in several instances. He wrote 
and enlarged it for the press, commonly with 
a child on his knee, or rocking the cradle, and 
his wife at work by his side ; for a study and 
separate fire, were a convenience of which his 
resources would not admit. He expected this 
work would be instrumental of doing much good; 
but it did not find a ready sale. Even of the 
" Force of Truth," ten years elapsed, before 
the first edition, consisting of a thousand copies, 
was sold, though afterwards nearly that number 
was usually sold annually. It was from such 
small beginnings that his publications began to 
be so extensively circulated on both sides the 
Atlantic. 
7* 



8^ MEMOIRS OF THE 






CHAPTER (VI]^ 

Correspondence during the period of the preceding Chapter. 

Notwithstanding the people at Olney had 
been favoured with such a minister as Mr. 
Newton for sixteen years, it was a very unde- 
sirable curacy. They were much divided, full 
of religious notions, and of that knowledge 
which pufFeth up; while the love that edifie.th 
was comparatively rare. There were, no doubt, 
many excellent Christian characters, but in 
general, the religion of the place was not of 
a suffieii^ntly practical character. It will readily 
be perceived that such a situation would not be 
a pleasant one for a pastor. Mr. Newton's 
view of the place may be seen from the follow- 
ing extract of a letter from him to Mr. Scott, 
dated March 15, 1782. 

^' I likewise have preached at Leicester and 
Olney in the same week, and been conscious of 
the difference both in numbers and attention. 
I can assure you that, though I put the best 
face upon things, and was upon the whole com- 
fortable, yet my chief comfort in my situation 
there latterly, sprang from a persuasion that I 
was in the post the Lord had assigned me ; that 
he knew I was there, and why I was there; 
that, as a centinel, it would be unsoldierly to 
indulge a wish of being relieved sooner than 
my commander appointed. I thought, so far as 
my concern was dictated by a regard to the 



llJ^VT^aaMAS SCOTT. 



83? 



honour of the gospel and the good of souls, it 
tvasTtgfilT^but if'was the smallest part which I 
durst assign simply to that cause ; and that all 
the uneasy feelings of Mr. Self, on his own ac- 
count, were not of that importance which he 
pretended. There were a few who loved me 
for the Lord's sake, and who, I could perceive, 
were fed and brought forward by my ministry; 
and, though they were but few, I durst not say 
that their edification and affection were not an 
over-recompense for all the disagreeables. Such 
considerations as these are present with you 
likewise. The Lord will support you and com- 
fort you, and can, whenever he pleases, eitl^^r 
make your service more pleasant at Olney, or 
assign you a more comfortable situation else- 
where. I never had one serious thought of 
a removal, till the evening I received Mr. 
Thornton's offer of St. Mary Woolnoth. Even 
then, when it came to the point, it cost me 
something to part with them: and had the pro- 
posal been made a year or two sooner, I should 
have found more difficulty in accepting it. His 
hour and His methods are best, and it is good 
^to wait for him and upon him; for none who so 
wait shall be disappointed. When I first went 
to Olney, and for a good while afterwards, I 
had no more reason to expect such a post as I 
am now in, than I have now to expect a removal 
to Lambeth. But the Lord never is at a loss 
for means to effect his own purposes. He can 
provide friends,- open doors, remove mountains. 



84 MEMOIRS OF THE 

and bring the most unlikely things to pass. And, 
when we have finished our course, if he is pleas* 
ed to accept us, it will make no difference 
whether we die curates, or rectors, or bishops. 

" One thing is needful: but this one thing 
includes many, and may be considered in vari- 
ous respects. The one thing for a sinner is to 
know Jesus and his salvation. The one thing 
for a believer is to live to his will, and to make 
him his all; to admire, contemplate, resemble, 
and serve him. A believer is a child of God; 
a minister is, in an especial and appropriate 
sense, a servant, though a child likewise. The 
onA.thing for a servant, or a steward in the 
house of God, is to be faithful; that is, to be 
simply and without reserve, or any allowed in- 
terfering motive, devoted and resigned to his 
will; to have no plan, connection, prospect, or 
interest, but under his direction, and in an im- 
mediate and clear subserviency to his interest. 
Happy the man who is brought to this point! 
How honourable, how safe his state! He is en- 
gaged in a league offensive and defensive with 
the Lord of heaven and earth: and in the midst 
of changes and exercises which can but affect 
the surface, if I may so speak, he has an abiding 
peace in the bottom of his soul, well knowing 
whose he is, and whom he serves. 

" Indeed, my friend, I see, or think I see, 
such interested views, such height of spirit, 
such obvious blemishes, in some, who, on ac- 
count of gifts and abilities, are eminent in the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 85 

cliurch of God, as are truly lamentable. I adore 
the mercy of the Lord who has preserved you 
and me, and a few men whom I love, from those 
snares and temptations, by which some, as good 
and wise as ourselves, have been entangled 
and hurt. If I must blame, I would do it with 
gentleness, well knowing that had I been left to 
myself, in similar circumstances, I should not 
have acted better. Ah! deceitful sin — deceitful 
world — deceitful heart! How can we stand an 
hour against such a combination, unless upheld 
by the arm that upholds the heaven and the 
earth. 

^' I can say nothing about coming to Olney, 
but that I am willing if the Lord please. If I 
do, it must be soon after Whitsunday: a long 
while to look forward to ! I cannot move without 
a supply, of which I have no present prospect: 
but he can provide if he would have me go. 
With him I would leave all. It is pleasant but 
not necessary to see each other. Oh! may we 
see him, and rejoice in him daily; and, as to 
all the rest, JVot my willy but thine be done. So 
I wish to say. With love to Mrs. Scott from 
us both, I remain your affectionate friend, 
^ 1^^ John Newton." 

The following extracts from Mr. Scott's let- 
ters will shew his opinion of the place. " Olney 
is, I apprehend, as difficult a charge for a min- 
ister as can well be imagined, and I greatly feel 
my insufficiency; but if I look to Jesus, I can- 
not be discouraged: his strength shall be perfect- 



84 MEMOIRS OF THE 

and bring the most unlikely things to pass. And, 
when we have finished our course, if he is pleas-^ 
ed to accept us, it will make no difference 
whether we die curates, or rectors, or bishops. 

" One thing is needful: but this one thing 
includes many, and may be considered in vari- 
ous respects. The one thing for a sinner is to 
know Jesus and his salvation. The one thing 
for a believer is to live to his will, and to make 
him his all; to admire, contemplate, resemble, 
and serve him. A believer is a child of God; 
a minister is, in an especial and appropriate 
sense, a servant, though a child likewise. The 
orfcy, thing for a servant, or a steward in the 
house of God, is to be faithful; that is, to be 
simply and without reserve, or any allowed in- 
terfering motive, devoted and resigned to his 
will; to have no plan, connection, prospect, or 
interest, but under his direction, and in an im- 
mediate and clear subserviency to his interest. 
Happy the man who is brought to this point! 
How honourable, how safe his state! He is en- 
gaged in a league offensive and defensive with 
the Lord of heaven and earth: and in the midst 
of changes and exercises which can but affect 
the surface, if I may so speak, he has an abiding 
peace in the bottom of his soul, well knowing 
whose he is, and whom he serves. 

" Indeed, my friend, I see, or think I see, 
such interested views, such height of spirit, 
such obvious blemishes, in some, who, on ac- 
count of gifts and abilities, are eminent in the 



RET. THOMAS SCOTT. 85 

i^hurch of God, as are truly lamentable. I adore 
the mercy of the Lord who has preserved you 
and me, and a few men whom I love, from those 
snares and temptations, by which some, as good 
and wise as ourselves, have been entangled 
and hurt. If I must blame, I would do it with 
gentleness, well knowing that had I been left to 
myself, in similar circumstances, I should not 
have acted better. Ah! deceitful sin — deceitful 
world — deceitful heart! How can we stand an 
hour against such a combination, unless upheld 
by the arm that upholds the heaven and the 
earth. 

^' I can say nothing about coming to Olney, 
but that I am willing if the Lord please. If I 
do, it must be soon after Whitsunday: a long 
while to look forward to ! I cannot move without 
a supply, of which I have no present prospect: 
but he can provide if he would have me go. 
With him I would leave all. It is pleasant but 
not necessary to see each other. Oh! may we 
see him, and rejoice in him daily; and, as to 
all the rest, JVot my willy but thine be done. So 
I wish to say. With love to Mrs. Scott from 
us both, I remain your affectionate friend, 

«** * John Newton." 

The following extracts from Mr. Scott's let- 
ters will shew his opinion of the place. ^' Olney 
is, I apprehend, as difficult a charge for a min- 
ister as can well be imagined, and I greatly feel 
my insufficiency; but if I look to Jesus, I can- 
not be discouraged: his strength shall be pafed- 



16 MEMOIRS OF THE 

ed in my lucaknesSy and his wisdom in my fool- 
ishness: I must, however J enjoin you to pray 
for me: I have prayed for you long and often, 
and I trust the Lord has heard, and taught you 
to pray; now pay me in kind. I need this re- 
turn, and shall much value it." 

'' You desire me to inform you how I like 
Olney : but it is impossible. I trust the Lord is 
with me, and I love his presence, and the light 
of his countenance, which entirely reconciles 
me to the numerous disagreeables that I other- 
wise do and must expect to encounter I am 
satisfied that the Lord will not leave me to be 
needlessly discouraged; and, further, that I 
shall learn many a profitable lesson from the 
things I meet with: and, if I acquire humility, 
meekness, patience, prudence, and experience in 
this school, though it be not pleasing to the 
flesh, the spirit will rejoice. As to the people, 
they are pretty much as I expected : rather more 
divided. But I cannot tell how things will issue. 
I have taken a farm, which is a good deal out of 
heart; I am breaking up the fallow ground, 
ploughing, and harrowing, and sowing: but 
what sort of a crop I shall have, harvest time 
will best shew. Only I am sure / SfmUtgap in 
due season if I faint not. I do not, howe^r, re- 
pent coming," 

It will here be seen that Mr. Scott's temporal 
situation was fuUiof cares and labours. Yet he 
enjoyed much spiritual comfort during this period, 
Indeed he always looked back upon the seven 



RfiV. THOMAS SCOTT. 87 

years, subsequent to his cordial reception of 
Scriptural truth, as those of his greatest person- 
al enjoyment. The following letters to his 
youngest sister will shew the sweet contentment 
of his mind at that period. 

'' January 29, 1782. To see you as happy 
in that peace of God^ which passeth understandings 
and which, through Jesus Christ, keepeth the 
heart and mindy as I feel myself, is my ardent 
wish, and frequent, fervent prayer On Mon- 
days, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, I am at your 
service ; but I preach on the other evenings. 
You may likewise depend upon it, that I will 
not make your continuance at Olney disagreea- 
ble by religious disputes; for the Lord has al- 
most spoiled me for a disputant. Waiting and 
praying are the weapons of my warfare, which 
I trust will in due time prove mighty ^ through Godj 
for the pulling doivn of all strong holds^ which 
hinder Christ's entering into, and dwelling in 
your heart by faith j and bringing every thought 
into captivity to obedience to himself One ex- 
pression in your letter encourages me to hope, 
that we shall, before many more years have 
elapsed, be like-minded; namely, where you 
seem i^ entertain a doubt of your being right, 
and drf*\)fFer a prayer to God to set you right. 
Thus I began: in this I persevered, and do 
persevere, and have no more doubt, that it is 
God who taught me what I now believe and 
preach, as to the great outlines, than I have 
that God is faithful and hears prayer. You 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



wonder at my condemning you unheard, and 
think I have a worse opinion of you than you 
deserve. I will promise you I have not so bad 
an opinion of you as I have of myself. But the 
Bible condemns us all, moral and immoral, great 
sinners and little sinners, (if there be such a 
thing*,) that every mouth maij be stopped. Rom, 
iii, fe, and the following. Let me beg of you 
to read without a comment, to meditate upon, 
and pray over this scripture, especially that 
humbling text, For there is m difference, for all 
have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 
No difference: all are guilty, all condemned 
malefactors, all must be saved in a way of grace, 
by faith, through Christ. 

" June 25, 1782. Two4hings have concurred 
together to render it not easy for me to write, 
namely, many engagements and much indispo- 
sition. If the Lord be pleased to give us, (for 
he is the alone giver,) in the way of honest in- 
dustry in some lawful calhng, the necessaries 
and ordinary conveniences of life, just above the 
pinchings of poverty, and beneath the number- 
less temptations of affluence, we are then in the 
most favourable station for real happiness, so far 
as attainable in this world, that we can be; and 
we want nothing more but a contented mmd: 
such a contented mind as springs from a con- 
sciousness, that of all the numberless blessings 
we enjoy we deserve not one, having forfeited 
all, and our souls too by sin; from a considera- 
tion of the poverty, and afflictions of the Son ot 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 9* 

Lord is sovereign and owes us nothing; and 
therefore we have abundant cause for thankful- 
ness for what he hath, in a distinguishing man- 
ner, done for us, but none to complain of what 
he denies us. Be still and know that I am God, 
is a lesson which all his people must learn ex- 
perimentally. Wait the JLordPs time, is another 
of the same sort. To love Christ even more 
than father and mother, and to desire his glory 
even more than their welfare, (which yet it is a 
duty to desire next of all,) is another very hard 
lesson which a true Christian must learn. But, 
when you have made proficiency a little in these 
lessons, you do not know what He who is rich 
in mevcyy in answer to patient, persevering, be- 
lieving, submissive prayers, may do for you. 
At all events you know he does hear prayer, 
and I dare 'venture to say, that your most ear- 
nest importunate prayers for your parents, are 
as sweet music in his ears; and that he delights 
to hear them, as offered through the interces- 
sion of Jesus. I lament much that there is so 
little of this spirit amongst professors of religion. 
If ever it become general, religion will spread 
in families and neighborhoods, as fire in a sheaf. 
Where two agree on earth as totvching any thing 
that they shall ask, it shall be done for them. Try 
the experiment. Though it is very proper to 
drop a word now and then, yet I would advise 
you to be sparing in it, as it will be misconstrued 
into assuming and preaching. Meekness, at- 
tentioU; affection, and every expression of honour 



ij2 MEMOIRS GP THE 

and respect; a mixture of seriousness and cheer- 
fulness; (which be sure you aim at — nothing 
prejudices more than an appearance of melan- 
choly;) now and then a pertinent text of scrip- 
ture; a hint dropped, and opportunities watched, 
when people are more willing to hear than at 
other times: this, accompanied with many pray- 
ers, is the line I would mark out. But the Lord 
giveth ivisdom; and I doubt not he has been be- 
forehand with me. I must conclude with wish- 
ing you success in the name of the Lord.^^ 

The following are letters to clergymen of his 
acquaintance, and give a view of his sentiments 
on various subjects. 

The two next letters are to the Rev. G. More, 
a Scotch minister, then situated in the north of 
England. 

^' April 14, 1784. I must frankly observe 
that I am not much attached to externals, being 
decidedly of opinion, that, had the Lord Jesus 
intended all his people to be of the same senti- 
ments about church government, he would have 
explicitly declared it, as under the Jewish dis- 
pensation, and have rendered it impossible for 
godly, reflecting, and judicious persons to have 
differed much about these things : even as it is 
impossible for such persons much to differ about 
the method of a sinner's justification, or the na- 
ture and need of regeneration. Every man 
ought to be satisfied in his own mind about the 
lawfulness of communicating as a Christian, or 
officiating as a minister, in that society he be- 



REV. THOMAS SGOTT. 93 

longs to, and leave others to judge for them- 
selves; candidly supposing that men who are 
conscientious in other things are so in this: and, 
though they see not as we see, yet possibly 
their eyes may be as good as ours. In my own 
judgment, after I hope much serious and impar- 
tial consideration, I am a moderate Episcopalian, 
and a Poedo-Baptist; but am entirely willing 
my brethren should be, some Presbyterians, 
and some Independents, and not extremely un- 
willing that some should be Baptists; rejoicing 
that Christ is preached, and the essentials of 
' true religion upheld amongst persons of different 
sentiments, and only grieved that each one will 
be what he is jure diviiWy and judge and con- 
demn others. I would only beseech all to leave 
biting and devouring one another , and to unite 
together in striving, as so many regiments in 
one army, against the common enemy. My 
avowal of my sentiments on this subject will 
help you to know your man, and what you are 
to expect. My post is very different from yours. 
There are above two thousand inhabitants in 
this town, almost all Calvinists, even the most 
debauched of them; the gospel having been 
preached among them for a number of years by 
a variety of preachers, statedly and occasionally^ 
sound and unsound, in church and meeting. 
The inhabitants are become like David, iviser 
than their teachers; that is they think themselves 
so, and, in an awful manner have learned to 
abuse gospel notions, to stupify their conscien- 
8* 




i M MEJI^IRS OP THE 

ces, virnUcate thj^Jr |fioth and wickedness, and 
shield ofFconw#t^o|i. ■ There is an Independent 
meeting in the towiY, the minister of which is 
newly come amongst us, and for this and other 
reasons is very popular. He is, I doubt not, a 
godly man; but his preaching does not appear 
to me calculated to rouse a stupid audience out 
of their lethargy. ,, There is also a Baptist meet- 
^it//tftKt/fm^ heretofore, by dry 

Wj^^q^arian discourses, accompanied by little 
alarming, inviting, searching, or practical mat- 
ter, have done much to bring things to this pass. 
If you are acquainted with the disputes about 
the modern question, you will need nothing more 
to be said o^ that system of passivity introduced 
by the strenuous deniers of its being every man's 
duty to belie vfe^ If you have not met with any 
thing on this subject, on another occasion I will 
write a little more upon it. But the present! 
minister is a solid, judicious, and godly man, I 
though not an awakening preacher. As fori 
myself, I am very unpopular in this town, andy 
preach in general to very small congregation^. 
Before I came hither, I had two curacies in the 
neighbourhood, one of which I retain with Olney . 
There I have a people to whom the Lord has 
made me the instrument of good. ^They love 
me, and are a comfort to me. Tfi^ are not 
very numerous, but so many as to prevent my 
complaining that I have quite laboured in vain; 
and the .Lord adds to their number lone and 
another from time to time. O that he would 



'\ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 95 

multiply them a hundred, or a thousand fold! 
I have a few even at Oiney who cleave to me, 
and a small number of those who are my own: 
but I labour under great discouragement in this 
respect, and am generally looked upon as un- 
sound, legal, Arminian. The truth of the mat- 
ter is, upon mature deliberation I am convinced 
that the preaching of the present day is not 
practical enough, or sufficiently distinguishing 
between true and false experience. I therefore 
speak more fully than most do of the moral 
character of the Deity; of the excellency, glory, 
and loveliness of that character as described in 
the word of God. From this I deduce the rea- 
sonableness and excellency of the holy law of 
God; which I endeavour fully to open in its ex- 
tensive requirements. Thence follows man's 
obligation to love God, both on account of his 
infinite loveliness, and of our natural relations 
and obligations to him. Then I demonstrate 
the evil of sin, as apostacy from this lovely and 
glorious God and king, and transgression of his 
perfect law. Thence I shew the justice of God 
in the infinite, the eternal punishment of sin- 
ners; it being necessary that God should mark 
his hatred of this hateful thing, magnify his holy 
law, and shew his justice, that he might appear 
glorious in the eyes of all for ever, but rebels. 
Thus I suppose I dig deep to lay the founda- 
4;ion of the gospel of free grace: the necessity, 
nature, and glory, of the vicarious obedience 
and sufferings of Immanuel; the sufficiency of 



! 



96 MEMOIRS OF THE 

his one sacrifice ; and his abihty and willingness 
to save to the uttermost all that come. Thence 
I shew that all who will may come, ought to 
come, and that all sin atrociously in not coming : 
that, however, it is in no n^itural man's heart to 
come; because each man is proud, selfish, 
worldly, and carnal: therefore, all are without 
excuse. But a God of sovereign grace, having 
mercy on whom he will, according to his own 
purpose, makes some willing, by regeneration. 
This changes the prevailing bent of the heart, 
and henceforth the man is not only humbly 
willing to be justified by faith, and saved by 
grace, but hates and repents of sin, loves God's 
law, loves holiness, and leads a holy life, sin- 
cerely, progressively, though imperfectly, — re- 
ceiving from Christ daily grace so to do: and 
that all experience which has not this effect is 
false. Every tyte that bringeth not forth good 
fruity 8^c. My paper forbids more. This is the 
outline of my scheme. Pray animadvert upon 
it; for 1 would daily revise, correct, and im- 
prove it." 

" May 25, 1785. — I am much at a loss what 
to say concerning your situation with your con- 
gregation. I have seen and heard of so many 
such things that 1 pxn really grieved; and dis- 
couraged respectinj^the success of the gospel 
in the dissenting congregations. No sooner 
does a minister begin in good earnest to ad- 
dress the consciences of his hearers, in an awak- 
ening, searching, and practical manner, and 



REV. TPIOMAS SCOTT. 97 

there is hope that religion will revive, converts 
be made, and Christians quickened to adorn 
their profession; than some antinomian hypo- 
crite, or some injudicious dry professor, whose 
tongue or purse has given him considerable 
influence, begins to form a party against the 
minister; to censure, browbeat, discourage, op- 
pose, or expel him. Hence some are restrained ; 
and, by the fear of man, which h^ngefh a snare ^ 
their ardour is damped; they feel themselves in 
thraldom; and, if they are not consciously un- 
faithful, they are forced to use such caution as 
cramps them in their ministration, and takes off 
much of their pungency. Others are turned 
out and reduced to great difficulty: but this is 
by far the best, as it throws them im.mediately 
into the care of the Lord, for whose sake they 
suflTer, and who will certainly, in due time, pro- 
vide for all who suffer for him. Thus a stupid 
congregation choose a pastor of their own cast, 
when a peculiarly alarming, heart-searching one 
is requisite; and so matters grow worse and 
worse. Or, if the pastor they choose turns out 
different than they expected, they either spoil 
or expel him: and thus, in many places, the 
form and notion are all that is retained of true 
religion. But the work is the Lord's, and from 
time to time he interposes, in some unexpected 
manner, and beyond hope brings about a revival. 
However, in this respect, we (of the church) 
have the best of it. My discontented ones, who 
have be ej3i n umerous, have now left me in peace* 



i. 




IS 98 MEMOIRS OF THE 



able possession: many more hearers fill up, and 
much more than fill up their places; and still 
the work of the Lord goes forward: nor hath 
their opposition done me any real harm, but I 
hope much good. I shall tell you a short story, 
by way of improving this part of your letter. A 
dissenting minister, (at Cambridge, I think,) 
preaching very practically, was found fault with 
by his people, who gave him to understand that 
they must part with him, if he did not alter the 
strain of his preaching. The poor man having 
a family, shrunk for a time ; but it preyed upon 
his health and spirits; which his wife observing, 
plainly told him that he distrusted God out of 
fear of man, and was unfaithful; and begged of 
him to preach according to his conscience, and 
leave the event to God. Accordingly he did 
so, and was expelled. But just at that time a 
larger meeting, with a better salary, and a more 
lively people, being vacant, he was invited 
thither, and settled among them; lived in plenty; 
and preached with acceptance and usefulness, 
till removed by death. This is a matter of fact. 
Be but faithful then, my brother : never mince 
the matter: never fear man: plead God's cause 
with the people, and the people's cause with 
God; and make it your great business to live 
what you preach ; and he will surely extricate 
you out of all difficulties. When a mmi^s ways 
please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at 
peace with him. 

^' I am not of opinion that the system of pas- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 9d 

Bivity I mentioned is new to you. The wotd 
hiay be, but the thing itself you seem acquaint- 
ed with, to your considerable uneasiness. A 
few words will explain my meaning. An uncon- 
verted man says, ^ I can do nothing : if God 
would give me a heart, I should pray, repent, 
believe: but I cannot give myself a heart: if he 
will not, how can I help it? I must wait his 
time : perhaps he sometimes may, and sometime 
he certainly will, if I be one of the elect; and if 
not I must perish, and all I can do will signify 
nothing.' A professor says, ' I have declined 
and back-slidden: if God will be pleased to re- 
vive me I shall be restored: I must wait : I hope 
I have known better times: and He will not 
finally forsake his people ' In this style they 
excuse their sloth and lukewarmness, quiet their 
consciences, stop their ears to exhortation, and, 
under pretence of passively waiting till God do 
all, and of giving him all the glory ^ fairly exon- 
erate themselves of their guilt, and charge it all 
upon God [-—^Indeed Adam's race seem deter- 
mined that the glory of the good and the blame 
of the bad should go together. The Arminian 
takes the blame of the bad to himself, and thinks 
it but reasonable that he should have the glory 
of the good too. The pseudo-Calvinist gives 
God all the glory of the good, but seems to think 
it reasonable that he should bear the blame of 
the bad also. But the true Christian says, ^ To 
me, even to me alone, belong shame and confu- 
sion of face for all my rebellion, impenitence. 



100 MEMOIRS OF THE 

unbelief, and sloth, all my days: but to God 
alone belongs the glory of all the good wrought 
in me, or done by me ?' " 

May 14, 1785, he writes: ''My dear friend, 
Nothing could sufficiently apologize for my 
omission of writing, except your own. Nay 
indeed, though that does keep me in counte- 
nance, yet I do not think we are either of us 
excused. For a little time now and then spent 
in dictating a letter to each other might be the 
means of quickening both of us; as we have 
before now found conversation to be. Remem- 
ber, Iron sharpens Iron. Therefore, whether you 
can cut yourself or not, try to whet me, and make 
me cut : and then I hope I shall try to return the 
obligation. I believe Satan prevails as much 
against the cause of Christ by persuading min- 
isters to sit still, or merely to go on in the beateii 
round, without attempting any thing more, as in 
any other way. My conscience is never quiet 
and joyful, but when I am busy in some minis- 
terial employment; not merely in acquiring, but 
in communicating the knowledge of divine things 
by my tongue and pen: not only by meditation 
endeavouring to affect my own heart, but, by 
some method or other, endeavouring to affect 
others, and stir them up to seek, trust, love, and 
serve the Lord. And, after a multitude of 
thoughts about pride, ambition, Slc. influencing 
me to be active, (and they will insinuate them- 
selves,) I am persuaded Satan would have me 
while away my life in inactivity, under prcten- 



EEV. THOMAS SCOTT. 101 

ces of modesty, diffidence, and humility; and 
he never is wanting to furnish me with excuses 
for delaying or shifting services. But I beg of 
God to rouse us from this lethargy. Paul says 
to Timothy, Be instant in season^ out of season; 
preach the ivord; and seems to think there is 
more danger of sloth, than of too great activity 
in the preacher of the Gospel. May the love 
of Christ constrain us, and compassion for per- 
ishing souls prevail with us, to leave no means 
untried to promote faith and holiness, and to bear 
testimony against irreligion and false religion: 
to awaken the careless, to undeceive the delud- 
ed, to allure souls to Christ, to encourage the 
humble, and stir up the believer to glorify God. 
Write soon a letter longer than the note you 
sent from Birmingham, and let me know how 
things go on in your soul, and in your congre- 
gation. Stir up, my brother, the gijt oj God 
that is in you. Now is the time to labour, and 
suffer hardship and reproach. It is both seed 
time and harvest, and it is shameful to sleep 
in either. Cast your bread upon the loaters. 
Sow in the nwiifnng^ and in the evenings and water 
it with many prayers; and, if you see it not be- 
fore, you will see the fruit of it at the last day. 
Some little good is going on here, and we are 
waiting and praying for more : lend us your as- 
sistance in this particular. 

" I should have been glad to be at Birming- 
ham, but could not: — especially to have met you 
there. 

9 



102 MEMOIRS OF THE 

" Desiring to remember you in my prayers, 
and requesting your prayers, I remain your 
very affectionate friend and brother, 

Thomas Scott, 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Situatibn at Olney — Proposal of the Chaplaincy of the Lock 
Hospital — Visit to London — Accepts the Chaplaincy — Ob- ' 
tains two lectureships — Friday evening Lecture — Suspected 
of Arminianism — Unpopularity — Institution of the Lock 
Asylum — ^British and Foreign Bible Society. 

-^.Though Mr. Scott's situation was in some 
measure improved in Olney, and his ministry in 
many instances blessed, yet he never could feel 
reconciled to a permanent abode there. He 
had not, however, the most distant prospect of 
any other situation, and his Unpopularity at Olney 
was in itself a powerful obstruction to his ob- 
taining any. While he was thus in some re- 
spects dissatisfied with his only prospect as to 
future life, he received a letter from the Sec- 
retary of the Lock Hospital in London, stating 
that it had been resolved by the managers to 
appoint a person to the office of morning preach- 
er in the chapel, and visiting chaplain to the 
patients; that from what they had heard con- 
cerning him, they were of opinion that he would 
be a suitable person for the situation, and re- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 103 

quested him to visit London and give them an 
opportunity to hear him preach. This proposal 
was directly opposite to his own views of his 
peculiar talents. He therefore wrote a very 
plain answer, stating his views of the gospel, 
and determination to speak his mind in the 
plainest language, wherever he might be called 
to preach; and his consciousness of being to- 
tally destitute of those attractions of manner 
and eloquence which that situation demanded; 
but closed with consenting to go to London, 
and preach in their presence. Accordingly he 
did go, and preached two sermons in as plain 
and faithful a manner as he could, without at- 
tempting any thing different from his usual style, 
and expected that specimen of his manner would 
5lecide the minds of those concerned, against 
him. When about leaving the city, he was 
asked whether he would propose himself as a 
candidate at the ensuing election. He gave a 
decided negative answer. It was then asked, 
" But will you accept of the situation, should 
you be chosen without proposing yourself?" 
He replied, '' I cannot tell, but certainly not, 
unless the choice should be almost unanimous. 
Having preached in the chapel, I shall now re- 
turn home, and if I hear no more from you, you 
shall hear no more from me." In a few weeks, 
the ^election took place, no other person was 
proposed, and Mr. Scott was elected with only 
three dissenting voices. This was unexpected 
and he found reason to conclude that if he ac^ 



i04 MEIMTOIRS OF THE 

cepted the appointment^ he should be plungeiJ 
into serious difficuhies and trials. Yet he did 
not dare to give a direct refusal, without taking 
advice upon the subject. It might be his duty 
to go, and personal feelings ought not to be 
consulted. The person whom he consulted, 
presuming he wished for the situation, forbore 
to advise him to the contrary. He was con- 
scious, however, of being willing to give, to the 
most faithful advice, for, or against, acceding to 
the proposal, an attentive hearing, and careful 
consideration; that every step in the business 
was taken, on his part, with many earnest and 
anxious prayers for direction; but not finding 
the objections urged which he expected, he con- 
sidered the offer made him as a call to a self- 
denying duty, and was afraid of sinning, should 
he retlise to accept it. " But," said he " had I 
heard ail those things previously to my consent, 
which I heard subsequently, I certainly should 
not have consented. Thus I should have es- 
caped much distress; but, taking the whole to- 
gether, I now think I should have been far less 
useful." 

Withholding advice when requested, is an 
unkindness which ought to be severely censured ; 
unless it be in consequence of entire ignorance 
of circumstances in question. It shews an in- 
difference to the happiness of the applicant 
which inflicts a wound upon the feelings. Some 
persons, through fear of giving offence, or from 
6ome less justifiable motive, suppress their ob- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 103 

jections to a proposed object, until it is too late 
to be of any service, and then express them 
fully. This is cruelty. A request for advice 
does not impose an obligation to implicit com- 
pHance. If it receive an attentive hearing, and 
careful consideration, accompanied with prayer 
for divine direction, it is all we are entitled to 
expect. If to this we add the observation of the 
wise and holy Halyburton, that '^ the promise of 
God to direct our steps, does not extend always to 
teaching others what is our duty," it may recon- 
cile us to persevere in giving the best advice 
we can to those who request it, without requiring 
or expecting them implicitly to follow it. 

Mr. Scott's own people, who were most at- 
tached to him, and most grieved to part with 
him, were convinced that he was called by 
Providence to remove, and that it was his duty 
to comply. But the situation would be extreme- 
ly unpleasant and perplexing. He must be 
subject to a board of managers who were divided 
into parties, many of them thinking themselves 
qualified and entitled to dictate as to the doc- 
trines he should preach; and his secular affairs 
would not be improved. But he did not foresee 
all the difficulties he would have to encounter. 
Had he been aware of the perplexities which 
awaited him, he would not have accepted the 
appointment, but would have considered it im- 
possible for him to perform its duties; but God 
overruled it for the accomplishment of important 
benefit to his church. We have here an in- 
9* 



106 MEMOIRS OF THE 

stance of the overruling hand of Providence, m 
disposing our situation in life. Had he not ac- 
cepted the situation, humanly speaking, his 
Commentary would not have been written, and 
the good which has been done by it, would not 
have been effected. And besides, by this 
means he was enabled to take a bold and decid- 
ed stand against the defective and even corrupt 
representations of Christianity, then prevalent in 
London. And we may be led to consider the 
unspeakable mortification and vexation to which 
he was subjected as the necessary trials of his 
faith, the preparatives for the peculiar services 
he was to render, and the requisite counterpoise 
to prevent his being exalted above measure by the 
flattering celebrity he was ultimately to attain. 
For though he had arrived at eminent piety, 
and possessed uncommon intellectual powers, he 
was still human, and consequently frail and sin- 
ful. Even St. Paul needed a thorn in the fleshy 
to prevent his being exalted above measure. 
However insignificant, as individuals, the chil- 
dren of God may appear in the eyes of men, 
they are of consequence in the view of Jehovah; 
he has important purposes to accomplish by 
them, and not a hair of their heads falls without 
his notice. 

Mr. Scott's salary at the Lock was £80, 
nearly half of which was necessary for rent and 
taxes. He had expected that he could easily 
procure a lectureship which would afford him 
additional support; but in this he was disap- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 107 

pointed except in procuring one in Bread street, 
of which the salary was so small, that no other 
person thought it worth procuring. And also 
an appointment to preach at Lothbury, a dis- 
tance of three and a half miles, every alternate 
Sabbath morning, at six o'clock, for a very 
small stipend. He retained his lectureship from 
1790 till 1802. His congregation seldom ex- 
ceeded a hundred persons, but his labours were 
of spiritual benefit to many of them. His duty 
was his pleasure. He ever stood ready for any 
kind or degree of work to which he might be 
called. His morning lecture, though a source 
of no emolument, was a pleasant service to him. 
Few persons would attend at that early hour 
who did not bear real love to the ordinances of 
God's house; and among them were many pious 
servants and others, who would generally be 
prevented from attending public worship at any 
other hour in the day. 

During the whole of Mr. Scott's residence of 
seventeen years in London, he laboured under 
great pecuniary difficulties. Yet he was always 
provided for, though literally he did little more 
than receive day by day his daily bread. But 
his narrow circumstances were never any check 
to his unwearied and disinterested labours; and 
from the manner in which they were borne 
they served to ennoble his character. Dr. 
Franklin has familiarly remarked, that " it is 
hard to make an empty bag stand upright;" 
but however empty, Mr. Scott always stood 



108 MEMOIRS OF THE 

upright — not with the uprightness of integrity 
only, but of independence : — not that pride which 
refuses to receive and acknowledge an obliga- 
tion, but that firm rectitude which will not 
sacrifice judgment to any consideration what- 
ever. 

The following letter from a lady who had re- 
sided in Mr. Scott's family will afford a precise 
and accurate account of his sabbath labours. 

'^ The account I have been accustomed to 
relate of Mr Scott's Sabbath labours, is as 
follows, and my memory does not tax me with 
inaccuracy. At four o'clock in the morning of 
every alternate Sunday, winter as well as sum- 
mer, the watchman gave one heavy knock at 
the door, and Mr. S. and an old maid-servant 
arose, — for he could not go out without his 
breakfast. He then set forth to meet a congre- 
gation at a church in Lothbury, about three 
miles and a half off; — ^I rather think the only 
church in London that attended so early as six 
o'clock in the morning. I think he had from 
two to three hundred auditors, and administered 
the sacrament each time. He used to observe 
that, if at any time, in his early walk through 
the streets in the depth of winter, he was 
tempted to complain, the view of the newsman 
equally alert, and for a very different object, 
changed his repinings into thanksgivings. From 
the city he returned home, and about ten o'clock 
assembled his family to prayers: immediately 
after which he proceeded to the chapel, where 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 109 

iie performed the whole service, with the admin- 
istration of the sacrament on the alternate Sun- 
days, when he did not go to Lothbury. His 
sermons, you know, were most ingeniously 
brought into an exact hour; just about the same 
time, as I have heard him say, being spent in 
composing them. I well remember accompa- 
nying him to the afternoon church in Bread 
Street, (nearly as far as Lothbury,) after his 
taking his dinner without sitting down. On 
this occasion I hired a hackney-coach: but he 
desired me not to speak, as he took that time to 
prepare his sermon. I have calculated that he 
could not go much less than fourteen miles in 
the day, frequently the whole of it on foot, be- 
sides the three services, and at times a fourth 
sermon at Long-acre Chapel, or elsewhere, on 
his way home in the evening : and then he con- 
cluded the whole with family prayer, and that 
not a very short one. Considering his bilious 
and asthmatic habit, this was immense labour! 
And all this I knew him do very soon after, if 
not the very next Sabbath after, he had broken 
a rib by falling down the cabin-stairs of a Mar- 
gate packet : and it seemed to me as if he passed 
few weeks without taking an emetic! But his 
heart was in his work; and I never saw a more 
devoted Christian. Indeed he appeared to me 
to have hardly a word or a thought out of the 
precise line of his duty : which made him some- 
what formidable to weaker and more sinful 
beings. His trials, I should think, (as you 



110 MEMOIRS OF THE 

would have me honest with you,) were those of 
temper. Never, I often remarked, was there a 
petition in his family prayers, for any thing but 
the pardon of sin, and the suppressing of cor* 
ruption. His life, and labours, and devotedness, 
kept him from much knowledge of the world; 
but the strength of his judgment gave him a 
rapid insight into passing affairs: and upon the 
whole I should be inclined to say, he was one 
of the wisest men I ever knew. You know 
more than I can do of the nature and habits of 
his daily life. I can only say that, when fa- 
tigued with writing, he would come up stairs, 
where the Bible was generally open, and his 
relaxation seemed to be, talking over some text 
with those whom he found there: and I can 
truly declare that I never lived in a happier or 
more united family." 

Mr. Scott's sermons were literally prepared 
the day they were delivered. For more than 
thirty-five years he wrote but four or five ser- 
mons, and they were occasional discourses^ 
expressly intended for publication. Yet no one 
who heard him complained for want of thought, or 
for crudeness in his discourses : they were rather 
faulty in being overcharged with matter, and too 
argumentative for general hearers. An eminent 
chancery lawyer used to say that he heard him 
for professional improvement, as well as for reli- 
gious edification; as he possessed the close ar- 
gumentative eloquence peculiarly requisite at 
the bar, and which was found to be bq r^re an 
endowment. 



hev. TiibMAs scoTt. Ill 

It will be recollected that Mr. Scott was 
morriing preacher at the Lock Chapel. There 
Was also an evening preacher. In addition to 
these sabbath services there was a Wednesday 
evening lecture, which the two chaplains were 
to preach alternately. For some reasons, Mr. 
Scott did not consider that a useful service 
He therefore requested of the managers permis- 
sion to preach on Friday evenings, the service 
to be wholly his own; which was allowed. It 
was his intention, at these lectures, to elucidate 
and enforce every thing relative to the christian 
temper and conduct. With this view he gave 
notice that he would lecture in an expository 
manner on the Epistle to theEphesians in course. 
At first he was very well attended ; his congre- 
gation generally consisting of more than three 
hundred persons. This continued while he was 
going through the more doctrinal part of the 
Epistle; though he applied the doctrines very 
plainly to practical purposes. But when he ar- 
rived at the latter part of the fourth chapter, ap- 
prehensions were entertained that he was not 
sufficiently Calvinistic in his preaching. And 
at length when he preached from the fifth chap- 
ter, on the words. See that ye walk circumspectly ^ 
&c. the charge was extensively circulated that 
he had changed his sentiments, and was become 
an Arminian : and he at once lost more than half 
his auditors. The Sabbath morning congrega- 
tion was also much diminished, and dissatisfac- 
tion was manifested in the looks and language 



112 MEMOIRS or THE 

of the managers, even such as had appeared 
most friendly: and he seemed to have no alter- 
native, but either that of voluntarily receding 
from his office, or being disgracefully dismissed. 
But there was no place to which he could retire. 
On this emergency, amidst very many interrup- 
tions, and under inexpressible discouragement, 
he wrote, and preached the Sabbath morning 
following, (Nov. 26, 1785,) his sermon on Elec- 
tion and Final Perseverance. By the next 
week it was printed and ready for sale; and a 
thousand copies sold in about three days.^ While 
he was preparing this sermon, he dined with a 
large party, many of the party being managers 
of the Lock, and zealous in their way for Calvin- 
ism. In the evening it was proposed, according 
to custom, to discuss some religious subject; 
and being sincerely desirous of information, he 
proposed a question concerning the precise 
boundaries between Calvinism and Arminian- 
ism, respecting which so much prejudice against 
his ministry has been excited. With the excep- 
tion of two dissenters, no one offered any thing 
to show that he understood the subject. So that 
when he concluded with his own remarks, it was 
allowed that he was more decidedly Calvinistic 
than the rest of the company. This conversa- 
tion filled him with astonishment. He had not 
before conceived it possible, that men, known 
in the religious world, would have allowed them- 
selves boldly to take a side and talk loudly in 
favor of a system of which they hardly knew the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 113 

outlines. Yet this was far from being an un- 
common occurrence Many call themselves 
by names, or attach themselves to denomina- 
tions of whose particular belief they are almost 
totally ignorant. But it is not ignorance alone 
that occasions their opposition to the preachino* 
of the gospel; they hate the doctrines and the 
duties it inculcates. It is to be hoped the 
Sabbath School system, which has become so 
general, will effectually cure such an evil. On 
sabbath school teachers is laid the important 
task, not only of forming the religious character 
of the rising generation, but of storing their 
minds with religious knowledge, teaching them 
to discriminate between truth and errour; and 
of leading them to a thorough knowledge and 
love of the holy Scriptures. This institution 
appears to be one important step in bringing 
about that happy state of things, when all shall 
know the Lord. And as God works by means 
in the moral as well as in the natural world, it 
belongs to them either to accelerate or retard 
the approach of millenial glory. 

Mr. Scott at this time had many instructions 
respecting his preaching, and some of the mana- 
gers assumed a high tone of authority; but he 
answered them, " Gentlemen, you possess au- 
thority sufficient to change me for another 
preacher, whenever you please; but you have 
no authority to change me into another preacher. 
If you do not convince my understanding that 
I am in an errour, you can never induce me to 
10 



114 MEMOIRS OF THE 

alter my method of preaching." His vexa- 
tions, however, sometimes overcame his pa- 
tience and fortitude. On one occasion he said 
to his wife, '^ whatever be the consequence, I 
will quit this situation, for I shall never have 
any peace in it." She promptly replied, '^Take 
heed what you do. If you leave your station 
in this spirit, you will perhaps soon be with 
Jonah in the whale's belly." The check was 
seasonable, and pi'ocured his acquiesceance. 

Various plans were devised to counteract the 
declensions of the congregation, consequent on 
his increasing unpopularity. Among others, a 
popular preacher offered, when in town, to take 
the Sabbath morning sermon gratuitously; and 
this was proposed to him with assurances that 
his income should suffer no diminution. He an- 
sv/ered, '^ Gentlemen, I came hither for the 
work, and not for the wages; and if you take 
that from me, I will certainly go and seek em- 
ployment elsewhere." This disconcerted the 
plan; which was, however, abandoned chiefly 
through the interposition of the Earl of Dart- 
mouth (a constant attendant on the morning 
service at the Lock,) who remarked, ^' That he 
thought it would be better for the gentleman in 
question to reside on his living, and attend to 
his own flock, than to intermeddle with other 
men's affairs; and that, if the present preachers 
in the chapel were incompetent, it might be 
proper to dismiss them, but not in so disgrace- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 



115 



fill a manner to supersede either the one or the 
other of them." 

Every thing,' however, still conduced to ren- 
der Mr. Scott more and more unpopular; not 
only at the Lock, but in every part of London. 
Many who never heard him preach, were fully 
possessed with the idea that there was some- 
thing very wrong in his preaching and temper. 
Even the charge of scolding in the desk was 
brought against him. But he was confident 
that his most aWful warnings were the language 
of compassionate love, and were accompanied 
with many tears and prayers: and his most re- 
spectable and constant hearers, who often ex- 
pressed dissatisfaction with his manner, never 
imputed to him a harsh and angry spirit in the 
pulpit. 

During this time, almost his whole comfort 
as a minister arose from his labours in the hos- 
pital, which, with all the disgusting circum- 
stances of the service, were far more pleasing 
and encouraging to him, than preaching in the 
chapel. He constantly attended twice in the 
week; each time preaching first in the women's 
wards, and then in the men's. He took the 
plainest portions of scripture, and spoke in a 
strain of close address to the conscience, and 
in a manner which he could not equal in any 
other place, and so as always to fix the atten- 
tion, and often to affect the hearts, of his poor 
profligate auditors, and concluded each address 
with an appropriate prayer. 



116 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Mr. Scott's active mind and benevolent heart 
could not be contented while there remained 
any service to be performed which could benefit 
his fellow creatures. He saw the institution 
with which he was connected to be incomplete, 
especially so far as the female patients were 
concerned; as they had, in general, on leaving 
the hospital, no alternative, but to return to a 
vicious life, or encounter hardships which it 
could not be supposed they would have resolu- 
tion to endure. That she would choose a 
virtuous course, wdth poverty, hardships and 
reproach, was more than could be expected from 
a patient just discharged from the Lock Hos- 
pital. Notwithstanding all his perplexities, 
therefore, he formed the plan of an Asylum, 
into which such of those unhappy objects as 
desired -it, might be admitted on their leaving 
the Hospital. He wrote and printed a pamph- 
let on the subject, proposing a meeting to bo 
held for the purpose of taking the subject into 
consideration. He enclosed it as a letter and 
left it himself at the doors of the nobility and 
principal gentry in the city. A meeting was 
held April 18, 1787, and with much difficulty 
an Asylum on a very small scale was formed. 
But it often seemed as though it must be relin- 
quished for want of funds. For a long time 
the only return he met with, for his assiduity, 
was censure, even from persons from whom he 
least expected it. But it was evidently the 
means of salvation to some immortal souls. It 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. MT 

also served as a precedent for institutions which 
were afterwards established on the same gen- 
eral principles. During Mr. Scott's residence 
in the city he acted as its chaplain, and had the 
principal share in the management of its con- 
cerns. For several years he attended daily to 
conduct family worship and give religious in- 
struction. His experience in the concerns of 
the Hospital and Asylum led him to disapprove 
in the strongest terms, the practice of young 
females repairing to cities for employment; 
considering certain ruin the almost inevitable 
consequence. 

Notwithstanding Mr. Scott's removal from 
his people in Buckinghamshire, he still cherish- 
ed a tender regard for their welfare. He sent 
them frequent supplies of books, wrote them 
pastoral letters, adapted to their particular cir- 
cumstances, and afforded relief to their tem- 
poral necessities. In one of his visits to them, 
he wrote and preached a sermon on Phil, i, 
9 — 14, which he printed for their benefit. He 
afterwards enlarged it, and printed it under the 
title of "A Treatise on Growth in Grace." 
But his publications did not sell, even so far as 
to pay the expenses of publishing. He conclud- 
ed that he had mistaken his talent, and almost 
resolved to print no more. At this time he had 
much leisure, to which he refers in the follow- 
ing extract from a letter. 

''For some time I had frequent invitations to 
meet dinner parties formed of persons professing 
10^ 



118 i > MEMOIRS OF THE 

religion; and I generally accepted them; yet I 
seldom returned home without dissatisfaction, 
and even remorse of conscience. One day (the 
Queen's birth day,) I met, at the house of a 
rather opulent tradesman, a large party, among 
whom were some other ministers. The dinner 
was exceedingly splendid and luxurious, con- 
sisting of two courses, including every delicacy 
in season. Some joke^ passed upon the subject ; 
and one person, in particular, a minister of much 
celebrity, said, ' If we proceed thus, we shall 
soon have the gout numbered among the privi- 
leges of the gospel!' This passed off very well: 
but in the evening, a question being proposed on 
the principal dangers to which evangelical reli- 
gion was exposed in the present day, when it 
came to my turn to speak, I ventured to say, 
i\idX conformity to the world among persons pro- 
fessing godliness was the grand danger of all. 
One thing led to another, and the luxurious din- 
ner did not pass unnoticed by me. I expressed 
myself as cautiously as I could, consistently 
with my conscience, but I observed that, how- 
ever it might be needful for Christians in superi- 
our stations sometimes to give splendid and ex- 
pensive dinners to their worldly relations and 
connexions, yet, when ministers and Christians 
met together as such, it was not consistent ; but 
should be exchanged for more frugal entertain- 
ments of each other, and more abundant feeding 
of the poor J the maimed , the lame^ and the blind, 
(Luke xiv, 12 — 13.) Probably I was too point- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 119 

ed; and many strong expressions of disapproba- 
tion were used at the time: but I went home as 
one who had thrown a great burden from offhis 
back — rejoicing in the testimony of my conscience. 
The consequence was, a sort of tacit excommu- 
nication from the circle. The gentleman at 
whose house this passed never invited me again 
but once, and then our dinner was, literally, a 
piece of boiled beef. He was, however, I be- 
lieve, a truly pious man, though misled by bad 
examples and customs. He always continued 
to act towards me in a friendly manner; and, 
though I had not seen him for several years, h© 
left me a small legacy at his death." 

The case of an orphan niece, in ill health, 
gave occasion to the following judicious advice 
in a letter to his youngest sister. 

^' I would hope, and have you hope the best 
of her in respect of spiritual concerns ; but would 
have her fear the worst. Long expei^nce con- 
vinces me that wo mistake is more common or fatal y 
than too hastily encouraging persons under serious 
impressions to think that they have already passed 
a saving change, and that all is now well. Rep- 
resenting salvation as invariably consequent 
upon a diligent, humble, persevering application 
to Christ, in prayer and the use of means, affords 
a sufficient stay to the newly awakened mind, 
keeps it attentive, and spurs it on to diligence. 
But should a person falsely think all right, this 
persuasion will sooth his conscience, slacken his 
diligence, and lull him to sleep. Our compas- 



120 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Bion for persons undef concern for their salva- 
tion often operates in this manner. But a skilful 
surgeon is always afraid of a hasty cure. This 
hint I know you will understand, and, in speak- 
ing to your niece, will take care to keep alive 
a jealousy of herself. I hope I do continue to 
pray for her, and you, and all my relations. I 
have much cause for gratitude for the past, and 
encouragement for the others; especially as I 
am continually getting auxiliaries to assist me in 
praying for them." 

In the History of the British and Foreign 
Bible Society, it is remarked, " The primary 
occasions of all those measures out of which 
grew the institution of the British and Foreign 
Bible Society was the scarcity of Welsh Bibles 
in the Principality, and the impracticability of 
obtaining adequate supplies from the only 
source existing at that period, whence copies of 
the authorized version were to be derived." 
Accordingly the history commences with a cor- 
respondence, in 1787, between a clergyman in 
London and a brother clergyman in Wales, 
which first brought the existing scarcity into 
notice in England. This London clergyman 
was Mr. Scott. He was instrumental in send- 
ing several hundred Bibles into Wales, some of 
which were for gratuitous distribution; the re- 
mainder to be sold at cost. It was fit that he 
should lay the foundation for such a noble struct- 
ure as the British and Foreign Bible Society, 
who was to be instrumental in elucidating the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 121 

sacred pages. See how great a matter a little fire 
kimlleth. One spark of benevolence in the pious 
heart, properly elicited, will kindle a flame that 
shall warm the distant regions of the earth. It 
is cause for gratitude that v/orks of benevolence 
are not left for a few master spirits to plan and 
execute. Every child of God, however obscure, 
has a part to perform, and a privilege to share 
in the charitable enterprises of the day. The 
following are extracts from the correspondence 
concerning the supply of Welsh Bibles mention- 
ed above. The first is from Mr. Scott's corres- 
pondent in Wales; the others were written by 
himself. 

March 24, 1787. You ask me, ^ Whether a 
parcel of Welsh Bibles would be acceptable.' 
You could think of nothing more acceptable, 
more wanted, and useful to the country at large. 
I have been often, in my journeys through the 
different parts of the country, questioned wheth- 
er I knew where a Welsh Bible could be bought 
for a small price ; and it has hurt my mind much 
to be obliged to answer in the negative. There 
are none to be bought for money, unless some 
poor person, pinched by poverty, is obliged to 
sell his Bible to support himself and family. 
Mr. Williams' Bibles, with notes, are some of 
them unsold; but the price, 18s., is too high for 
the poor to command. If you can procure a 
parcel of them for our poor people, I am sure 
you will much rejoice the hearts of many, and 
do them, by the blessing of God, great good. 



122 MEMOIRS OF THE 

I will promise to dispose of them in the best 
manner I am able: and I think I could dispose 
to very good purpose, and make profitable use^ 
©f any quantity you could procure for me." 

" May 15, 1787. Dear Sir, I received your 
acceptable letter, which made my heart rejoice, 
and caused me to render unfeigned thanks to 
God in your behalf, and the people in your 
neighborhood; and to pray for a still further 
blessing upon your labours, and those of your 
brethren. May the work of God both sink 
deeper, and spread wider, till, like the leaven, 
it leaven the whole lump! I have shewn your let- 
ter to several, and I trust it affected and influ- 
enced them in the same manner; and also in 
another — for silver and gold I have none to give ; 
but my friends have. In consequence of what 
you write concerning the scarcity of Welsh Bi- 
bles, I have received twenty-five from the So- 
ciety for distributing Bibles among the soldiers 
and sailors — and, if they approve of your dispo- 
sal of them, they will send you some more. Be- 
sides this, I am collecting money to send you a 
hundred. I have had assistance from Mr. Thorn- 
ton in this, and probably shall have more. I 
trust this will be an acceptable present, and a 
seasonable supply; and I hope many prayers 
will be ofl?ered up in Welsh for my friends and 
myself, which is the only recompense we desire, 
and which we shall highly value." 

He mentions the Lock Asylum, then forming, 
and adds : ^^ Pray for a blessing upon this, and 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT 125 

all other attemptsof your poor brethren in Lon- 
don: and, though we are so distant in situation, 
yet, being all engaged in one warfare, under one 
captain, against one common enemy, we may be 
helpful to one another by prayers, exhortations, 
and encouragements. Let us, therefore, en- 
deavor to keep up the communion of saints; and 
may the Lord give us wisdom, holiness, faithful- 
ness, and usefulness, and at length receive us 
with. Well done good and faithful servants ! Your 
affectionate brother in Christ." 

June 11, 1787, he states that he has sent the 
one hundred and twenty-five Bibles altogether; 
and that the Asylum is opened. — '' I am sur- 
rounded," he says, '' daily with pretty much the 
same sort of company that my Master was, Luke 
XV. 1. The Lord grant that I may behave 
among them in some good measure as he did, 
and speak to them with the same success! Most 
people here are very unbelieving about it, and 
think no good can be done; but I am enabled to 
expect great things from the power, mercy, and 
love of Christ. I would believe, and hope to see 
the glory of God in their conversion. Indeed I 
do see some good fruits; and, though there are 
many disappointments, and I am often ready to 
be discouraged, yet upon the whole I think I 
may confidently say, good is done: and, if God 
help me to persevere, and neither faint in, nor 
grow weary of, nor act inconsistently with, my 
work and office, I trust I may expect a good har- 
vest at last. We have raised money enough to 



1^4 MEMOIRS OF THE 

begin with, and I do not wish to have temptation^ 
to any thing interested or extravagant. At pre- 
sent I have refused to have any recompence for 
my trouble, till the experiment be tried, at least; 
and I hope others also, will be as disinterested 
as they can. I would not have any thing to 
depend on but God's providence and promise. 
We want nothing so much as the pouring out 
of the Holy Spirit for their conversion; and all 
the rest will be provided for in the Lord's time. 
" You rather misapprehend my situation, in 
supposing that I have multiplied opportunities 
of preaching. For my great benefit, I am left 
with something about me which is very unac- 
ceptable among most of the professors of reli- 
gien. Some things requisite for popularity I 
would not have, if I could; and others I could 
not have, if I would. This, together with some 
suspicions concerning the exactness of my ortho- 
thoxy, in the point of election, renders even 
those, who love me the best, shy of asking me 
to preach. But I feel it is needful and useful 
to me, and I submit to it, and am thankful for it; 
for my proud heart could never have borne pop- 
ularity properly: indeed few do. I trust I am 
in some degree useful. I do the work allotted 
me with uprightness, though with many blun- 
ders; should be willing to do more, if called to it; 
and would be submissively out of employ, if the 
Lord appoints that for me. My heart is with 
you. I pray God to prosper you in your exten- 
sive sphere, and make you long a burning and 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT, 1^ 

shining light — a useful preacher of, and a bright 
ornament to the gospel. Begging an mterest in 
your prayers, I remain your affectionate friend 
and brother." 

" February 24, 1789. If no unexpected hin- 
drance arises, you will receive, as soon as they 
can be got ready and sent, another cargo of 
Bibles, one hundred to give away, at Mr. Thorn- 
ton's expense, and the other two or three hun- 
dred to sell. I believe that the whole impres- 
sion of Welsh Bibles is now nearly exhausted; 
and I would be thankful that the Lord has made 
me, almost without any thought of it, an instru- 
ment of bringing a considerable number out of 
the warehouses, to be disseminated where they 
were wanted." 

October 19, 1792. A further supply of Bi- 
bles had been procured through another friend, 
and he says, '' I trust that the Lord who hath 
put it into the hearts of so many in Wales to 
love his holy word, will also put it into the hearts 
of their more wealthy brethren in England to 
use effectual methods of supplying them with 
Bibles. I have no counsel to offer; but am 
ready to be active in the good service in any 
way I can. I rejoice to hear, that your people 
go on well, and are a comfort to you: and I 
think I do feel more willingness than formerly, 
that others should have the satisfaction of en- 
larged usefulness, and I the mortification of 
much disappointment in that respect." 

Letters of a later date announce the new edi- 

\y J ^^ 





126 MEMOIRS OF THE 

tion of the Welsh Bible in 1799, consisting of 
ten thousand Bibles, and two thousand addition- 
al copies of the New Testament; out of which 
he appears to have procured eight or nine hun- 
dred copies of the Bible; and the correspond- 
ence closes, May 3, 1800, with observing, " The 
demand has so far exceeded the impression, that 
each person is put off with fewer than he applied 
for, and thought he had secured." 



CHAPTER IX, 

Mr. Scott's knowledge of the Scriptures— Proposal to write 
and publish Notes on the Bible — Pecuniary difficulties — Pro- 
gress of the work — Constituted D. D. 

Mr. Scott had repeatedly and prayerfully 
read the Scriptures, attentively considering the 
application of almost every verse ; and had often 
wished it practicable to preach through the Bi- 
ble. Instruction from every part crowded upon 
his mind, as he daily read and meditated upon 
it. While thus attending to the sacred writings, 
a proposal was made to him to write notes on the 
scriptures, to be published with the sacred text 
in weekly numbers. He consulted several per- 
sons on the subject, and made it for some time 
his constant prayer to be directed aright con- 
cerning it. But he was afterwards convinced 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 127 

that he did not consult, deliberate and pray so 
long as he ought. He M'^as not aware of the 
arduousness of the work, and of the various 
kinds of talent and knowledge which it required, 
and he had but few books to consult. As he 
had then no pastoral charge aside from the Hos- 
pital and Asylum, his active mind found leisure 
for some other pursuit ; and this was an employ- 
ment peculiarly gratifying to his inclination. 
He hoped to be able to appropriate several cop- 
ies as useful presents to his friends; to which 
object twenty-five copies were afterwards applied. 
He also hoped it would be some addition to his 
scanty income. But owing to his ignorance of 
the management of business, he was not aware 
of the expense of publishing, nor that any person 
would be likely to engage in publishing an ex- 
pensive work, who had not sufficient pecuniary 
resources of his own, or who would rely entirely 
on the sale of the work for funds. 

He commenced the publication and proceed- 
ed so far as to meet the most encouraging pros- 
pects of public acceptance, and became enthu- 
siastically fond of the employment: but when 
fifteen numbers had been printed, he learned 
that unless money could be procured, the de- 
sign must be abandoned, the money and credit 
of the publisher being exhausted. In these 
circumstances he was unwilling to have the 
work abandoned, or assume the responsibility 
of publishing it on his own account. By the 
help of friends, and sinking some legacies which 



128 MEMOIRS OF THE 

he received about that timoj he was enabled to 
accomphsh the undertaking. The cost of the 
first edition of three thousand copies, he estima- 
ted at £6000 or ^67000. His pubHsher reck- 
oned it at £10,000 or £11, 000. The work had 
extended to one hundred and seventy four num- 
bers, though it was originally fixed at one hun- 
dred and forty. But all beyond that number 
he printed at his own expense ; and the ten last 
numbers he gave away, though they cost him 
over £200. At the close of the business he 
calculated the expenses, and found he had nei- 
ther gained nor lost, but had performed the 
whole for nothing. But he soon found to his 
utter astonishment, that his pecuniary difficul- 
ties were only commencing, instead of coming 
to a close. Besides the £200 expended in the 
latter part of the work, he had advanced the 
publisher more than £800, far more than he was 
worth. The publisher soon after failed in busi- 
ness, and he received but a small dividend (Is. 
2d.) on the pound, and that after a long delay. 
All his little property was lost at once, and he 
was left £500 in debt, though £200 had been 
given him by his friends, to help him out of his 
difficulties. And what was worse, he was con- 
sidered incompetent to manage his secular con- 
cerns. For afi;erwards when he wished to pur- 
chase the residue of the edition, which was in 
the hands of the Trustees of the publisher, he 
could not obtain on a loan, £420 for that pur- 
pose, though he was confident he could have 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 129 

doubled the sum by making the purchase: and 
considered that the loan of that sum at that time 
would be of more service to him than the gift of 
£500 a year afterwards. The whole residue, 
with the accompanying copperplates, was con- 
sequently sold for £450 to a person who pur- 
chased it with permission from him to reprint 
forty-one numbers to complete sets, on condi- 
tion of his paying Mr. Scott one guinea for each 
number reprinted, which condition he did not 
fulfil. But the sale to Mr. Scott was like the 
execution of a dear friend. He would rather 
have given £1000 could he have raised it. 

After multiplied disappointments and losses, 
he commenced a new edition, and for a consid- 
erable time went on well with it; the sales 
amounting to the expenditures, which were little 
short of £1000 annually. But an enormous 
rise took place in the price of paper, attended 
with advance in the charge of printing, which 
completely spoiled his rising hopes, and the 
sale of the whole edition scarcely cleared more 
than prime t^ost. The price of the work was 
fixed frofn the beginning, so that he gained 
nothing by the improvements which he made, 
but actually paid at the rate of £13 for every 
additional sheet, for the privilege of improving 
his work. To this edition he added the marginal 
references, the printing of which cost £1000. 
In his third edition he succeeded somewhat bet- 
ter; but except the sale of the copy right, he did 
not clear £1000 for the labor of twenty-one 
11* 



130 MEMOIRS OF THE 

years. Indeed all the labours, vexations and dis- 
tress which attended this work, besides being 
obhged to appeal to a Court of Chancery, never 
will, nor can be known. But it was to answer 
important purposes: and great troubles gener- 
ally precede great successes. 

This great work was begun January 2, 1788/ 
The first number was published March 22, fol- 
lowing ; and the last copy was finished for the 
press June 2, 1792. A period of four years, 
five months, and one day; during which the 
whole was twice written over by the Author's 
own hand. The publishing was commenced so 
soon after the writing that he was exceedingly 
hurried through the whole progress. In sick- 
ness or health his weekly task must be complet- 
ed. After having with great difficulty and suf- 
fering, completed the current number, and then 
retired and taken an emetic, he has been called 
up again to furnish more copy; what he had 
provided being insufficient. That a work com- 
posed in such a hurried manner, should have 
been found to possess such intrinsic merit, and 
gain such acceptance, is indeed surprising; and 
while it furnishes an incontestible proof of the 
superiority of the author's mind, to this day, it 
carries in its front the approbation of heaven. 

The first edition, completed in 1792, consisted 
originally of three thousand copies; but it con- 
tinued to be reprinted by successive purchasers, 
as different parts were wanted, until it was ex- 
tended to five thousand. The first edition ivith 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 131 

references^ commenced in 1802, and completed 
in 1 809, consisted of two thousand. The second 
began in 1807, and finished in 1811, of two thou- 
sand. The third began in 1812 and completed 
in 18 14, of three thousand. It was then stereo- 
typed; the copy for which was fully prepared by 
himself to the end of 2 Timothy, iii, 2. And for 
the remainder he left a copy of the preceding 
edition corrected, though less perfectly, to the 
end of Revelation, from which the work has 
been finished, according to his directions, and 
in concert with his family, by a person who had 
been his literary assistant in pursuing the work, 
and in whom he placed entire confidence. 
Twelve thousand copies were published in Eng- 
land during the author^s life, besides eight Ameri- 
can editions, amounting to twenty-five thou- 
sand two hundred and fifty copies, and Wood- 
ward's edition of the " Reference Bible." The 
retail prices of all the EngHsh copies amounted 
to £67,600. Of the American copies £132,300, 
making in all £199,900 ($887,556.) At the 
close of 1810, Mr. Scott sold the copy-right, for 
which, including the copies which remained un- 
sold, he eventually received £2,000. 

The following letters from Mr. Scott's cor- 
respondence were written during the progress 
of the Commentary, and have reference princi- 
pally to it. 

" June 26, 1792. I have had my hands full, 

and my heart too, by 's means, and am not 

likely to be soon rescued from a variety of con- 



132 MEMOIRS OF THE 

cerns, in which my connexion with him in thi» 
publication has involved me. But he that hath 
hitherto helped me will, I trust, extricate me 
from all remaining difficulties; and it was need- 
ful that the whole progress of the work should 
be stamped with mortification, perplexity, and 
disappointment, if the Lord meant me to do any 
good to others by it, and to preserve me from 
receiving essential injury in my own soul. Four 
years, five months, and one day were employed 
in the work, with unknown sorrow and vexation: 
yet, if I have the best success in the sale of it, 
I can expect no emolument at all, except the 
profit on the sets I sell; whereas I may lose 
considerable sums. But I feel quite satisfied 
on that head: and, if any real good be done to 
a few souls by means of the whole, I am at pre- 
sent disposed to be thankful, even though I 
should lose both money, credit, and friends by 
means of it. I never thought I should live to 
conclude it; and it seems to me as a dream now 
I have, and I can scarcely think it a reality. 
Much cause for thankfulness, and much for hu- 
miliation, I see, upon the review of the whole 
transaction. I meant well, but I engaged has- 
tily, and made many egregious blunders: yet I 
hope, through the Lord's goodness, all will end 
well. I do not think that my health is injured 
by my intense application; but my spirits are 
surprisingly broken: and, whereas I used to 
rise above difficulties, by a certain alacrity and 
stoutness of mind, which I took for strong faith 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 133 

and much patience, I am now ready to be alarm- 
ed and dejected on every occasion; and have 
shed more tears since I began this work, than 
probably I did in all the former years of my life." 

"October 23, 1792. I was worth nothing, 
except my furniture, when I engaged in this 
work, (the Commentary,) and if, after some be- 
quests made to me, I should be in the same 
case when it is done with, I may, and I hope I 
shall say, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath ta- 
ken aivay, blessed be the name of the Lord. I 
might have spent my time more unpleasantly, as 
well as unprofitably, than in the labor I have 
had; which, in some respects, has been its owh 
reward: and, if any human being gets any real 
good by it, that forms an additional reason for 
my being satisfied and thankful: whilst the mani- 
fold evil that has connected with the whole bu- 
siness requires forgiveness, and excludes all 
idea of my being entitled to any reward from the 
Lord; and I must be very ignorant of human 
nature, to expect much from men for such an 
undertaking. I thought you would wish to know 
the state of my mind under what may be deemed 
a trial, but which does not much discompose me. 
I have a fair prospect of paying all their due, 
and that satisfies me." 

" March 4, 1794. If I said that I was sorry 
I had written so much on the Bible, I own it 
was my infirmity; but I do not recollect that I 
ever expressed myself so strongly; though the 
loss of all my little property, and feeling myself 



134 MEMOIRS OF THE 

encumbered with a debt of 300i. or 400/., with- 
out any thing to pay it except a very precarious 
income, did try me for a time very sharply. But 
I am now quite satisfied, yea, thankful; for va- 
rious circumstances more and more convince 
me, that it will in time so acquire stability, and 
produce durable good effects, that I am aware 
mortifications by the way were needful for me. 
The Lord has also peculiarly favored me this 
year; and I have emerged at least 200/. from 
my depth of debt within about fifteen months. 
One friend made me a present of 100/. towards 
my loss. So I say, As for me, I am poor and 
needy, but the Lord carethfor me: and I have at 
present no uneasiness about it." 

" March 14, 1798. I am either more indo- 
lent than formerly, or I do not stand work so 
well. I feel a need for the petition which Mr. 
Whitefield often made, ^ that the Lord would 
keep me from growing slack in the latter stages 
of my journey.' I every day however correct 
something of the Bible, besides preparing the 
Essays for republication, teaching, &c. ; and I 
feel a strong desire, by some means or other, if 
I am spared, to have the publishing of it in my 
own hands, when a new edition is wanted ; which 
will probably be ere long. I seem to think I 
could make great improvements: and I am more 
than ever convinced, that a Family Bible, which 
gains acceptance, is one of the most effectual 
vehicles oi antidote against all loose views of 
the gospel, that can be; because it gets into the 



1 



JlfiV. THOMAS SCOTT. 135 

families of persons who have any seriousness, 
even where public teachings lean to antinomi- 
anism; and may thus greatly counteract the 
effect." 

" October 29, 1800. You say I am in your 
debt as a correspondent; and indeed I iam in 
the way to be in every one's debt, in this respect 
as well as others; and here, at least, to be in- 
solvent. I must however not only intreat, but 
demand, to be dealt with on other terms than 
many are, as I am doing a great xvorh^ at least, 
whether a good one or not: and I find, as I pro- 
ceed, so much wants mending, and I can so 
little satisfy myself, that I can hardly hope to 
satisfy others. I work very hard, and yet I do 
not get on at the rate of more than a sheet and 
a half in a week; and do not finish any one 
chapter according to the ideal completeness 
which I had framed in my mind. I trust the 
work has thus far been improved much: and I 
still flatter myself with the hope of getting on 
faster presently, and of reducing some parts into 
a narrower compass: but this has not hitherto 
been the case. The language is throughout 
abridged; but then new ideas are added. I do 
not think any of you, that make remarks on the 
different parts of the work, can possibly conceive 
what it is to keep the whole in view, and to finish 
any chapter as apart of this whole. Had I known 
and felt this formerly as I now do, I should nev- 
er have dared to engage in a work, for which 
every day makes me more and more feel my 



136 I^EI^OIRS OF THE 

incompetency. Yet, as it has pleased God to 
give it so much of an estabUshment, I must now 
go on, and do what I can. But I must depre- 
cate criticism, especially that of those who are 
disposed to judge of a chapter as of a short essay^ 
instead of considering of what a vast whole it 
forms a part. I am however very glad of your 
observations, sent in the manner they have lately 
been. They very often suggest improvements 
beyond what you, perhaps, had in view. Your 
remarks on Leviticus x. made me, at least, a 
hard day's work: and yet I do not think you 
will be satisfied with what I have done. Here 
especially I note that you seem to have forgotten 
how I wrote, sick or well, in spirits or out, lively 
or dull: the tale ofbrichs must be delivered. I 
agree with you, that great points give the best" 
occasion to practical observations; but that is 
when a man has the genius, and is in frame to 
improve them: and I often feel a sad deficienc3r 
in both respects. Indeed, my maturer judgment 
may correct and improve what I formerly wrote ; 
but I verily believe I am now incapable of writ- 
ing, de novOy so much to the purpose, and so ra- 
pidly, as I then did. I would however query, 
whether leading the ordinary reader from verse 
to verse, with useful observations, though not 
striking to persons of superior cultivation, may 
not be as beneficial in teaching him to think, 
and deduce instruction for himself. But enough 
of this." 

It remained for America to confer on Mr, 



REVr THOMAS SCaTT. 137 [^ 

!! 

Scott a mark of esteem and respect which his 
own country had neglected. In consequence 
of the good which had resulted to the interests of | 

our glorious Redeemer's kingdom in this coun-» ^ 

try, from his Commentary and other works, he 
was constituted Doctor of Divinity by the Dick- 
enson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Though, 
be received it with respect and gratitude he 
never thought proper to avail himself of it. 



CHAPTER X* 

Birth of a son^— Death of his wife — Letters — Church Missionarj' 
Society — Conduct on board the Margate Packet — Letters. 

In giving a connected view of the transac- 
tions relative to Mr. Scott's Commentary on the 
scriptures, some things that occurred during the 
time he was employed about that work have 
been omitted which it will be proper to notice in 
another chapter. 

In 1788 his youngest son was born, and in 
September 1790, his wife died. Her death oc- 
;urred when his hands were full of employment, 
md his mind of overwhelming cares. He was 
[eft with four children at an age peculiarly re- 
[uiring superintendance. He found it neces- 
sary, and in his circumstances, considered it 
►roper, to form an early connexion; and in less 
12 



l3S MEMOIRS OF THE 

than a year he was married to the lady who 
survived him. He was pecuUarly happy in both 
connexions. 

The following letters to his wife's mother and 
sister, will shew the state of his mind under his 
bereavement. 

'' Chapel Street, September 9, 1T90. Dear 
lister, I should be glad to spare you, and our 
poor aged mother, and my other friends in Nor- 
thumberland, the pain and sorrow that this letter 
must occasion: but it must not be. Your dear 
sister is gone to heaven before us; and has left 
many, and me especially, and her children, sel- 
fishly to lament, that she is no longer a sinner 
or a sufferer, and almost to wish her back again. 
She was taken, about a fortnight ago, with ap- 
parently a slight indisposition in her stomach, 
which it was thought some trivial medicines 
would remove; but it proved obstinate, and at 
length terminated in fever and nervous delirium, 
and baffled every effort of the medical gentlemen 
who kindly attended her She died yesterday 
a little after seven in the evening. I see, and 
trust you will see, and submit to the hand of the 
Lord in this most painful dispensation: and I 
would study how to get comfort under it, and 
derive benefit from it. But my heart rebels 
against my judgment frequently; and I feel my 
loss to be so great, that gloom and distrust rush 
in. Yet the Lord can make it up to us by his 
own all-sufficiency. I can truly say, that, du- 
ring the fifteen years and three quarters that the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 139 

Lord hath lent me this loan, I have valued it 
more and more daily. In every sense, she has 
been a blessing to me, even as a minister, as 
well as a Christian; and few persons have died, 
more generally and justly lamented by all that 
knew her But the Lord gave and the Lord hath 
taken away^ and blessed be the name of the Lord! 
I would say so from my heart: though it aches 
when I attempt it. The last time she had the 
clear use of her faculties, she expressed the 
fullest joy and confidence in the Lord, and as- 
surance, that, if she died, she should go to be 
with Christ: and she wished m.e to say to all 
her friends, as her last advice, that they would 
never know happiness, till they left all other 
dependencies and vain pursuits, to seek salva- 
tion and comfort by faith in Christ crucified, and 
in communion with God through him. She w^as 
greatly rejoiced by your last letter: but she 

w^ould have said a good deal to brother 

about the snares of the world, and the danger of 
liilling to-be rich^ if he had stood by her bedside. 
I must leave it to you to break the melancholy 
subject to our mother, as you see best. My 
dear, unknown sister, to whom I sincerely wish 
all happiness for my poor wife's sake, this w orld, 
believe me, is a bubble: we shall soon be in the 
same situation with her: let us, then, seek the 
one thing needful more diligently, even that 
good part which shall never be taken away." 

" August 5, 1791. Honored Madam, Un- 
expected incidents, arising from the expensive 



140 MEMOIRS OP THE 

publication in which I am concerned, have ren- 
dered it inconvenient to me to send the enclosed 
£10 sooner: though the delay has grieved me. 
I understand that you now reside with brother 

; yet there may be many little matters, 

tending to the comfort of your advanced age, 
that you may wish for, and should have in your 
power. Probably as the providence of God 
hath ordered matters, you and I may never meet 
in this world; but your present comfort and fu- 
ture felicity are and must be near my heart, for 
the sake of your valuable daughter, — now a 
saint in glory, surrounded with her three chil- 
dren that went thither before her, as I am fully 
satisfied. Whilst it pleases God to continue 
your life and mine, you may be assured of the 
same sum every year, and probably earlier next 
year than I have at present been able to send it; 
and I hope you will oblige me by receiving it 
without hesitation: else you will add another 
sorrow to the many I have experienced If you 
knew all that God knows of the circumstances 
in which I have been placed, you could not 
blame, you would approve of the step I have 
taken, since it pleased God to take your dear 
daughter to himself Situated and engaged as 
I was, it was literary impossible for me to pro- 
ceed in any other way." 

"January 23, 1793. It cannot have given 
any person more satisfaction than it has done 
me, that the Lord put it into my power to add 
any thing to the comfort of the aged mother of 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 141 

her, who was so long my choicest earthly bles- 
sing, and whose memory must ever be dear to 
me. Though I have never seen her, I cannot 
but feel a measure of filial respect and affection 
for her, as well as love for you and your's: and 
I should rejoice at the opportunity of conversing 
with you, if the Lord saw good. But that is 
not likely in present circumstances. My desire 
therefore and prayer are, that we may be found 
amongst those, whom Jesus hath redeemed unto 
God iviih his bloody and may meet in heaven to 
spend together a joyful eternity. We are all 
poor sinners, in our best estate : and they who 
know their own hearts most, and are best ac- 
quainted with the spiritual law of God, will be 
most ready to make allowance for others, as 
•well as most prepared to value the atonement, 
grace, and salvation of our divine Redeemer; 
and thus alone can we be made meet for the in- 
heritance of the saints in light. You have no 
reason, therefore, to write with timidity to such 
a poor, weak, wretched sinner as I am. The 
Lord hath shewn me a little of his glorious sal- 
vation, and I bear witness, in a feeble manner, 
to his preciousness, his power, truth, mercy, and 
grace: but I have no reason to assume any pre- 
cedence above the feeblest of his disciples; and 
he alone makes me to differ from the vilest of 
his enemies: and must preserve that difference, 
if it continue — as I trust it will. I send you all 
the numbers to complete three copies of the Bi- 
ble. I sent the third copy for my mother, at my 
12^ 



/"^ 



142 MEMOIRS OF THE 

late dear wife's desire. If then you have sold 
it, the money is properly her's : and I hope you 
will employ it in any way for her comfort, and 
that you will fairly tell me, whether any more 
can at all alleviate her sufferings in her present 
state. Depend upon it, neither I nor my family 
shall be hurt by it. Give my dutiful love to her, 
and tell her that it is my fervent prayer, that the 
Lord would be her support, comfort, teacher, 
and Saviour; and that at last she may, in humble 
and lively faith, commend her soul, as Stephen 
did, into the hands of the Lord Jesus; that so 
we may all meet in heaven." 

Notwithstanding Mr. Scott's great labour in 
preparing his Commentary, he found leisure for 
several other publications in the course of it, 
though it is unnecessary to notice them particu- 
larly in this place. 

In 1796 and subsequently, the health of Mr. 
Scott's family requiring a residence by the salt 
water, it became necessary for him to take sev- 
eral passages in the packets between London 
and Margate. His conduct amid the motley 
group on board the vessel was strikingly char- 
acteristic, and produced a variety of interesting 
occurrences, of which but a slight account can 
be given. He determined to make the new 
scene on which he was entering an occasion of 
usefulness. He accordingly mixed with the 
multitude, observed and enquired into all that 
passed, and endeavored to become acquainted 
with the construction and management of the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 143 

vessel, and other objects worthy of notice He 
was ready to improve every occurrence for the 
benefit of himself and others. He rebuked the 
immoral, and opposed the skeptic and infidel. 
It was his aim to gain attention that he might 
find ah avenue to every mind. He frequently 
argued against the corrupt principles of the day, 
on which occasions, by uniting vivacity with his 
accustomed force, he excited the attention of 
numbers, conveyed conviction to many of his 
hearers, and silenced his opponents. The dis- 
cussion commonly terminated in a distribution 
of tracts, chiefly his own publications. This 
conduct on board gained the respect and affec- 
tion of the sailors, and they always welcomed 
him as " the gentleman whom nothing could 
make angry." Though he would not conde- 
scend to take offence at the disrespectful lan- 
guage with which he was often assailed; yet he 
sometimes gave great offence to others by ex- 
posing their misconduct, or reproving their im- 
piety. In one instance a London brewer finding 
himself defeated in his attempt to support the 
cause of irreligion, so far lost his temper as to 
*^ wish he had him, and a dozen more such par- 
sons at his disposal — he would boil them in his 
copper." Such a gross violation of propriety, 
however, met with the reception it deserved 
from the whole company, and the brewer with- 
drew and was no more seen during the passage. 
It is presumed that few individuals would feel 
themselves competent to adopt such a course in 



144 MEMOIRS OF THE 

a similar situation, yet in one who could honora- 
bly sustain it, and was induced to do so by zeal 
for God, and love for the souls of men, it was 
highly creditable. 

The following extracts from Mr. Scott's cor- 
respondence will illustrate his views, his minis- 
terial situation, and the state of his mind, during 
the remainder of his residence in London. The 
two first are to his friend in Northumberland. 

^' September 3, 1794. The years that you 
were more immediately acquainted with me, 
were certainly the most comfortable, in respect 
of religion, that I ever experienced. I, as 
well as you, have since made many painful dis- 
coveries about my own heart, and have had far 
more acquaintance with the devices of Satan 
than I then had: yet hitherto the Lord hath 
helped; and the grand principles, which I then 
inculcated, rise in my estimation every year: 
nor can that, which really humbles us, eventu- 
ally do us harm.-^My situation as a minister 
is replete with difficulties, and I do not see the 
fruits of my labours as I used to do; yet I trust 
I do not labour in vain.^ — We have a peaceable 
habitation: and, after all humiliating circum- 
stances, are favoured with the intimate friend- 
ship of some of the most excellent of the earth. 
Nothing but sin and the effect of it could pre- 
Tent our happiness: for, though I am often very 
poorly with the asthma, and other complaints, 
and my wife is far from healthy; that would 
not mar our comfort, if we could live a more 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 145 

holy life. But happiness is reserved for heaven; 
and hope, with a few earnests, must suffice on 
earth. We are patients in an hospital; regi- 
men, medicine, and cure are at present chiefly 
to be attended to; we shall shortly be discharg- 
ed cured, and that will eternally make up for 
all. In the mean time we must continue to live 
by faith in our crucified Redeemer, whose blood 
cleanseth from all sin. And, though, like par- 
doned rebels, who have been lamed in rebellion, 
our services manifest our sinfulness; yet let us 
pray to be enabled to aim at adorning and re* 
commending his gospel, and to declare his love, 
and the freedom of his service, to those around 
us, and those that shall come after us. Pray 
for me and mine. The Lord bless you and 
your's." 

" February 11, 1795. Those professors who 
seem not to feel such conflicts, and find no such 
difficulty in living up to their rule, evidently 
aim low, and do not measure their experiences 
and attainments by the scriptural standard. 
The blessing is pronounced by our lord on 
those that hunger and thirst after tightecusness ; 
but hunger and thirst imply the desire^ the 
ardent desire, of what is not yet obtained; and 
in heaven, when such gracious desires shall be 
fully answered, we shall hunger no wore, and 
thirst no more. In the mean time, it is well to 
set our mark high, that we may press forward^ 
forgetting the things that are behind^ and reaching 
forth to those that are before: and, as far as I can 



146 MEMOIRS OF THE 

judge by your letter, this is the present frame of 
your spirit. When we feel our need of for- 
giveness in this and the other respect, and of 
grace to fill up our station properly to the honour 
of the gospel, we know what to pray for, and 
shall pray with our hearts: but, when our coa* 
victions are more general, and we are not so 
particularly acquainted with our wants, enemies^ 
and evil propensities, our prayers will be more 
languid; and words, good in general, but not 
feelingly the language of our hearts, will con- 
-stitute our petitions. For my part, I am not 
able, after twenty years endeavouring after it, to 
rise a whit above a poor sinner, trusting in free 
mercy, through the atoning blood; and a poor 
beggar, who might as easily live in health with- 
out food, as serve God one day without fresh 
supplies of wisdom, strength, and grace, sought, 
in earnest prayer, from the fullness of Christ. 
If this be neglected, I find all good declines, 
all evil revives; and am sensible that nothing 
which has passed would keep me from the vilest 
crimes, of which my wicked heart is capable, 
if this could be wholly suspended. Yet, I trust 
the Lord does put; and will put his fear into my 
heart, that I may not depart from him : and my 
view of final perseverance is this, that the Lord 
has engaged to keep me (if indeed I am a 
believer,) empty, poor, hungering„praying, and 
living by faith on the fullness of Christ, till he 
bring me to glory: and then, all the painful 
experience I have had of my own wea|jness 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 147 

and sinfulness, will tune my songs of praise to 
him that washed me from my sins in his own blood, 
through the countless ages of eternity. Yet 
God forbid that I should abuse the gospel! I 
trust I only desire to live that I may serve the 
Lord, and recommend his gospel: and perfect 
holiness and obedience are the heaven I hope 
and long for. But the more I do in the Lord's 
service, the greater debtor I am to his grace, 
for the will, power, pardon, and acceptance: 
and the more I aim to do, the deeper sense I 
have of my need of the blood and righteous- 
ness of Christ, as my only title to the heavenly 
inheritance. 

" Perhaps this account of my feelings may 
show you, that your case is not singular ; and 
1 feel myself peculiarly interested in your con- 
cerns and that of** your relatives; to whom with 
your minister, pray give my kind remembrance. 
1 feel the same difficulties also about my chil- 
dren, of which you speak: but I endeavour to 
use means and to commit them to the Lord 
and thus to cast my care on Him. Yet even 
here I need forgiveness; and am conscious that 
neither my example, prayers, nor instructions, 
are what they should be. Thus boasting is 
excluded. I have no claim for myself or them, 
nor any plea, but God's mercy, and the en- 
couraging promises of his word; which, though 
general, give hope. And thus I proceed, and 
eave the matter with him.— Mr. Newton is 
olerably well, perhaps the happiest man to be 



148 MEMOIRS OF TH£ 

met wifli. But he grows old, and seems in all 
respects to break. I hope I shall not forget to 

fray for you: I beg the prayers of you all, for 
much need them. I remain, most sincerely, 
your affectionate friend, and well-wisher." 

'f he following advice to his son at college 
will be found interesting to students who are 
anxious of being useful as well as learned. 

" November 2, 1795. You have hitherto 
been kept greatly out of the way of worldly 
associates, and assure yourself you have lost 
nothing by it; for the more they are known, 
the clearer must be the conviction to every 
reflecting mind, that they can be of no advan- 
tage to a man, in any sense, without a tenfold 
greater disadvantage. Endeavour, therefore 
to cultivate a courteous, kind, and cheerful 
disposition and behaviour towards all sorts of 
persons; avoiding moroseness, affectation, and 
singularity, in things indifferent; but admit no 
one to your familiarity, who does not seem to 
you, and to more experienced judges, to have 
the fear and love of God in his heart. Conci- 
liate by an amiable deportment such as are 
strangers to the ways of religion, in order to 
allure them up to your ground; but take not a 
single step down upon their ground: lest, in- 
stead of your drawing them out of the mire, 
they draw you in. If you act consistently and 
prudently, and by a moderate attention to your 
studies, in subserviency to the one thing need- 
ful, and to future usefulness, secure a reputable 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 149 

Standing in the college; the careless or vicious 
may affect to despise you, but in their hearts 
they will respect you. I say a moderate appli- 
cation; for I apprehend that very great exer- 
tions are not only injurious to the health and 
spirits; tend to form a man to habits that are 
unpleasant, or to a kind of oddity; and exceed- 
ingly interfere with the growth of grace and 
every holy affection in the soul; but they coun- 
teract their own end; blunt and overstretch 
the mental powers; and, after surprising pro- 
gress for a time, incapacitate a person for m^ak- 
ing any progress at all. Ambition of distinction, 
more than love of knowledge, is the spur to 
this too eager course: but neither one nor the 
other should be your primwn mobile; but a 
desire to acquire that competency of useful 
knowledge, which may fit you for glorifying 
(jod, and serving your generation. This will 
also teach you to take care of your health and 
spirits; to accustom yourself to corporeal as 
well as mental exertion; (the want of which is 
severely felt by most of our ministers who are 
academical men;) to cultivate that kind of be-' 
haviour, which may render you as acceptable 
as truth and conscientiousness will let a man be 
m this world— the want of which is one of my 
jrincipal disadvantages; and so travel on at a 
sober rate, without over-pushing the horse at 
)eginnmg of the journey. Excessive eager- 
aess in any particular study has also this disad- 
i-antage, that it is apt to render a man rather 



150 MEMCriRS OrP THE 

learned than ivise, or even knomng; as over-eat- 
ing renders a man full, but does not nourish him. 
They who read too much, do not digest; they 
learn what others say, but they do not make it 
their own by reflection, or distinguish betiveen the 
precious and the vile. But moderate study, with 
frequent pauses for reflection, useful conversa* 
tion, and exercise, adds more to real knowledge, 
and leaves time to apply it to practical uses. 
You certainly should not waste time ; but stint- 
ing yourself to so much of this, or the other eve- 
ry day may cramp you; render your mind un- 
comfortable; and unfit you for the exercises of 
religion — without which nothing else will really 
prosper — I would advise you to write your own 
thoughts on subjects frequently; and try to get 
the habit of doing it in Latin : it may be of use 
to you, some time, beyond what you now per- 
ceive. But whatever you read or write, com- 
pare all with the Bible : study divinity as a Chris- 
tian, and as one intended to be a minister; and 
other things only in subordination to it: for this 
is your general^ and your particular calling too. 
I pray the Lord to be your Guard, Guide, Fath- 
er and Comforter!" 

'^ February 13, 1796. I think you are very 
right in cultivating general knowledge. I trust, 
however, you will not neglect the peculiar stud- 
ies of the place, so as not to appear with credit 
on proper occasions. The object in all your 
studies should be, neither celebrity, advantage, 
nor knowledge, for its own sake; but furniture 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 151 

to enable you to serve God and your generation; 
and as much credit as may give weight to your 
endeavors of that kind. Any friend that has 
cultivated general knowledge successfully, will 
give you hints on the best method of doing it; 
and gleaning seems to me an important matter. 
Learn from every body: be selfish in this re- 
spect: get all you can, not only from superior 
men, but from the most inferior. But be sure 
you compare all your real or supposed knowl- 
edge with the word of God. If real, it will elu- 
cidate, and be elucidated by it: if not, it will 
be detected and exposed by the touchstone. At 
some time or other, I would advise you to study 
well the evidences of revelation; not merely in 
a general way, but so as to be master of the sub- 
ject. Perhapsitmay be soon enough at present: 
but it is a matter of great importance in this age 
especially. Above all, cultivate personal reli- 
gion. Let nothing be an excuse to your mind 
for being slight in that matter. Even useful 
labors for the good of others may be separated 
from diligence in the concerns of our own souls: 
but it is this which must bring a blessing on all 
else, and cause it to proceed with life and vigor." 

The following account of the methods adopted 
by one who had so successfully studied divine 
truth, will doubtless be interesting to the reader. 

" December 10, 1795. I know not what fur- 
ther directions to give you respecting the man- 
ner of inquiring after truth, and seeking to have 
it more deeply impressed on the heart, and, as 



152 MEMOIRS OF THE 

it were, wrought into the judgment and affec- 
tions, than are already in print. I find it ex- 
ceedingly difficult to keep my attention fixed, or 
to get my heart suitably affected, in reading 
and meditating upon truths, which have become 
obvious and familiar by daily study: but there 
are times when I find, that, while I try to muse 
on the subject, a fire^ as it were, kindles^ and 
contemplation terminates in adoring gratitude 
and admiring love. In general, I think, I have 
found it advantageous sometimes to read the 
scriptures with such exactness, as to weigh eve- 
ry expression, and its connexions, as if I were 
about to preach on every verse; and then to 
apply the result to my own case, character, 
experience, and conduct, as if it had been di- 
rectly addressed to me— not as a new promise 
or revelation, but as a message containing warn- 
ing, caution, reproof, exhortation, encourage- 
ment or direction, according to my previous or 
present state of mind, and my peculiar circum- 
stances. In short, to make the passages into a 
kind of sermons, as if about to preach to others, 
and then to turn the whole application on myself, 
as far as suited to my case; as if another, who 
fully knew me, had been addressing me. At 
other times I have read a passage more gener- 
ally, and then selected two or three of the most 
important observations from it, and endeavored 
to employ my mind in meditation on them, and 
to consider how they bore on the state of my 
heart, or on my past life, or on those things 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 153 

which I heard or observed in the world or the 
church; and to compare them with the variety 
of sentiment, experiences, conduct, or prominent 
characters, with which we become gradually 
more and more acquainted. Thus I have en- 
deavored to read the scriptures, and to use them 
as a touchstone to distinguish the precious from 
the vile^ both at home and abroad. At other 
times, having perhaps heard or read the opin- 
ions of different men on any disputed subject, I 
have, in my daily reading of the scriptures, con- 
stantly kept those opinions in view, that I might 
at length form my judgment on which side truth 
lay. In doing this, I have always aimed to 
keep my mind from the two extremes, on the 
one hand, of giving up my own opinion, from a 
kind of false humility, and deference for men, 
without being previously convinced that I had 
been mistaken; and, on the other hand, of as- 
suming my opinion to be truth, so as to exclude 
light, especially if it came from an enemy, or a 
person not entitled to much deference. So that 
I have always aimed to be open to conviction; 
to bring every man's probable opinion to the 
touchstone, and to give it a fair trial, if not tried 
before; but not to receive it, without plainly 
perceiving its agreement with the scripture, 
and at the same time to aim, that my heart might 
he suitably affected with the conclusions of my 
j understanding — in which I have principally 
failed. But, a spirit of continual prayer, mixed 
with reading, has been my principal help in all 
13=^ 






154 MEMOIRS OF THE 

these things; without which either self-wisdom 
or indolent dependence on human teaching wiU 
surely prevail." 

The following is to his eldest sister on the 
sickness of her daughter. 

'' April 20, 1797. It is a duty to use such 
means as we can to preserve life, and restore 
health: yet we all know that many other things 
must he consulted. Physicians often recom- 
mend such means, as their patients are unable 
to try: and, when this is the case, there is no 
ground of anxiety or regret; for the ability, the 
means, and the blessing, are all in the hand of 
God. It is often a comfort to me, both in re- 
s|>ect of myself and those dear to me, that the 
Saviour who was wounded for our transgressions ^ 
and bruised for our iniquities y has the keys of death 
and of the eternal world. If we can but say, 
Lordy he whom thou lovest is sick^ we may confi- 
dently commit the event to him. It may be 
very different for a time, (as in the case of Laz- 
arus,) from what we should choose, but, in the 
final issue, it will demonstrate his wisdom, as 
well as his faithfulness and love. The number 
of our trials, and pains, and days; the circum- 
stances of our life and death; are all with him. 
He can be touched with the feeling of our sor- 
rows, and consults our feelings as far as wisdom 
will permit. But faithful are the ivounds of a 
friend: and he prefers our durable and eternal 
good, even to our present comfort: though he 
%uill not leave his disciples comfortless^ or orphans^ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 155 

or bereaved persons. But ichathe doeth ive knoio 
not now ; hereafter ice shall hnoiv. We do not 
even know the effect of trials on our own souls : 
we cannot say what we should have been with- 
out them: we cannot estimate or measure our 
own progress or growth. The Lord's plan is 
very complex: but the truth is sure. Ml things 
work together for good to them that love God^ whom 
he hath called according to his purpose. I have 
no doubt of the event to you, that it will be 
mercy : 

The cloud j^ou so much dread, 
rrtfig wTth mercy, ancT wiTl break 
In bTessings on your head. 

But nature must feel, and I do most heartily 
pray God to spare your feelings, arid to pre- 
serve your child, to be both a comfort to you, 
and a blessing to others. But I am not confi- 
^dent that he will see good to answer these pray- 
ers, because they are, perhaps, the language of 
ignorance or mistake. All I see, hear, or feel, 
convinces me, that nothing is worth living for, 
but to prepare for death and heaven, and to do 
some good in the world. If therefore the Lord 
has given her grace to choose the good part, to 
flee for refuge to Christ, and to yield herself to 
him in penitent faith and love; if He has any 
work for her to do in the world, she will cer- 
tainly live to do it; and, if not, departing hence 
to be with Christ will be a loss to others, but 
her richest gain.'' 



/2ih 



156 MEMOIRS OF THE 

To his son on his own recovery from sickness. 

^' During almost sixteen years' continuance 
in London, though often greatly indisposed, I 
have never once before been prevented officia- 
ting on the Sunday: but I have now done noth- 
ing since Wednesday sennight in the evening. 
I have not been able even to pray in the fam ly 
till last night, and then with great difficulty. In 
the former part of life, I had many more violent 
and long continued fevers : but I have not been 
so ill, since I had a nervous fever in Shropshire, 
in 1783; and, as far as I can recollect, I never 
had so violent an attack of the asthma before. 
For many hours of two successive nights, it was 
all but absolute suffi)cation; and the sense and 
dread of that were continually present to my 
mind. Yet, bless the Lord, I was not left either 
to murmur or despond. I had very serious ap- 
prehensions of immediate death; though I said 
nothing to those around me : and all my cares, 
plans, hopes, (as to this world,) and every thing, 
except my wife and children, seemed quite out 
of sight. I had not any sensible comfort; yet I 
thought of dying, without emotion: though the 
idea of dying by suffi^cation seemed formidable. 
I felt the grand concern to be safe; and was 
willing to leave all below, to have done with 
suffering, sin, and temptation. I did not feel 
much ot what the apostle mentions, of desiring 
to he with Christ; and I was convinced, for that 
very reason, that my Christianity was of a small 
growth: yet I trusted that it was genuine. I 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 157 

tried to commit all I loved, and all I had labored 
to effect, into the Lord's hands: and I thought 
of recovering, as a sailor, just about to enter 
harbour, would of being ordered out to sea again. 
Yet I was willing, if the Lord saw good. This 
was about the state of my mind. I could con- 
fusedly recollect very many things to be hum- 
bled for, and ashamed of; but nothing that im- 
peached the sincerity of my professed faith in 
Christ, and love to him: and, though conscious 
of very many faults and imperfections in my 
ministry, I was also conscious, that I had hon- 
estly sought to glorify God, and save souls, in 
preference to all wordly interests. My hope 
was that of a sinner, throughout saved by grace: 
yet I was satisfied, that the aim of my heart, and 
the tenor of my conduct, since I professed the 
gospel, evidenced that I had built on the sole 
foundation by a living faith. When I die, it is 
not to be expected, that I should be able to de- 
clare my views and experiences; and therefore 
I commit these things to paper, as what passed 
in my mind, when I had serious apprehensions 
of dying. 

" It pleased God, however, at length to bless 
the means, and repeated emetics, blisters, &c. 
abated the paroxysm: yet the lungs were left in 
such a state, and I had so strong a fever, that, 
for almost ten days, I tasted neither animal food, 
nor fermented liquor, except a spoonful of wine 
two or three times, by way of trial, which al- 
ways disagreed with me. So that, altogether, 



loB MEMOIRS OF THE 

I have been reduced very low: but, thank God, 
the fever yielded to medicine ; and I have now 
nothing remaining of my disorder, but the lan- 
guor, and a sort of irritable state of the lungs, 
which chiefly troubles me by preventing me 
from sleeping. In other respects I am amaz- 
ingly recovered, and relish my food better than 
I have done for months past. I am, however, 
advancing in years; and this attack will proba- 
bly have some effect upon my plans, so far as to 
make me backward to undertake all that labor, 
which I had some thoughts of But wherever, 
or how long, or in whatever way, I may be em- 
ployed, I never felt so deeply convinced in my 
life, that being employed, as a minister, is the 
only thing worth living for. The vanity of all 
worldly possessions, distinctions, connexions, 
and enjoyments, never so forcibly impressed my 
mind, as on this occasion. The folly of shrink- 
ing from that hardship or suffering which the 
frown or scorn of men can inflict on us, for 
faithfulness, appeared extreme; when I felt how 
easily God could inflict far sharper sufferings, if 
he saw good. The reality and importance of 
eternal things shone on the scenes around me; 
so that the crowds of noble and affluent sinners, 
following the steps of the rich man in the gospel, 
appeared the most miserable of wretches. Tran- 
sient pain taught me emphatically the value of 
deliverance from eternal misery; and endeared 
the love of the deliverer, who voluntarily en- 
dured such pain and agony for us vile sinners. 



i'W^ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 159* 

The evil of sin, the happiness of the poorest 
true Christian, and the little consequence of the 
smoothness or ruggedness of the path, provided 
we come to heaven at last: these things, and 
others connected with them, have not, for many- 
years at least, so impressed my mind. The 
Friday evening before I was taken ill, I preach- 
ed on the text. Follow holiness^ without which no 
vfian shall see the Lord. But I did not properly 
dwell on the Lord's method of making us par- 
takers of his holiness: so he has since preached 
to me on the subject. And, as I now think little 
of the pain and distress attending the remedies 
used for my body, (the pain is all past,) because 
I hope I shall have the subsequent benefit of 
better health; how little should I think of the 
sharpest sufferings I can here go through, if the 
health of my soul be forwarded, and, at length, 
perfected, by means of them: or rather how 
ought I to bless and thank God for them all. 
Pray for me, that I may not lose these impres- 
sions; but, if spared, may live, and preach and 
pray, and write, in a manner, somewhat less 
unsuitable to the vastly important services I am 
engaged in : for 2vho can be sufficient for these 
things ? — I rejoiced, and blessed God, when I 
recollected that he had put you into this high 
office of the ministry. O may he preserve you 
from the snares, and smiles, and frowns of the 
world ; from the fascinations and delusions, from 
the lukewarmness, and evangelical formality, 
and attachment to secular interests, which are 



7 C/ 



166 MEMOIRS OF THE 

sanctioned too much in the church ! May you he 
a >viser, holier, more faithful, and more useful 
minister, than ever I have been! — O keep the 
concluding scene in view every step of the way; 
and judge of every thing by it. The evils I have 
protested against in health appeared to me far, 
far more pernicious, as I lay gasping for breath, 
than before: and I seem to rejoice in the hope 
of entering further protests against them. But 
I must stop my pen, or I shall hurt myself You 
will excuse the overflowings of my heast at this 
time : it never was more full of love for you. 
My love and blessing to my daughter, God 
bless and prosper you in the best sense ! — Your 
truly affectionate father.'' 

From the period of the illness here described, 
Mr. Scott relinquished his Sabbath morning 
lecture at Lothbury, having performed that ser- 
vice more than ten years. 



^ 



.-■-, — Lpi 



' •*-*'t- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 161 



CHAPTER XI. 



Removal to Aston Sandford^ — Account of a poor woman — His 
review of his conduct at the Lock — several visits — Tuition 
of Missionaries — Study of Arabic — Residence at Aston^- 
Letters. 

Mr. Scott had never felt satisfied with his 
situation at the Lock; but saw no proper open- 
ing for him elsewhere. Indeed his way seemed 
to be so hedged, that he could not help himself. 
At length circumstances were such as to afford 
him an opportunity to leave the station; but to 
relate them circumstantially would be uninter- 
esting and tedious He, however, procured a 
living at Aston Sandford, into which he was in- 
stituted July 22, 1801, but did not remove thith- 
er until the Spring of 1803. As there was no 
parsonage house at Aston, he was under the 
necessity of building one. In this he was provi- 
dentially assisted by an unexpected legacy . The 
circumstances attending, may perhaps be inter- 
esting to those who love to observe the opera- 
tions of divine Providence. 

Some years before, Mr. Scott, in the exercise 
of his parochial functions, became acquainted 
with a pious female servant who had been re- 
duced to poverty by an incurable disease. He 
learned that while in health she had expended 
«ill her savings to support her aged and infirm 
parents, confiding in God to provide means for 
ker own support, in case she should live to be 
14 



1&2 MEMOIRS or THE 

unable to support herself. She had now no re- 
sort but a London work house, where the society 
must be pecuUarly disagreeable to a pious mind. 
Mr. Scott felt extremely unwilling to have her 
placed in so unhappy a situation. Having been 
entrusted by some affluent friends, with money 
for charitable purposes, he proposed to support 
her for a time until further medical aid could be 
tried. Providence saw fit to withhold his bles- 
sing from the charitable exertions, and the case 
of the poor woman was deemed hopeless. Should 
her kind friend then forsake her, or should he 
deprive his children of bread to support a poor 
stranger, when the public were under obliga- 
tions to do it ? " Inasmuch as ye have done it unta 
one of the least of these my brethren^ ye have done 
it unto me," were words which he had too often 
read; and the example of the Friend of sinners, 
he had too often set before others, to shrink 
from a benevolent action. He took the poor 
diseased creature into his house. Some fami- 
lies with whom she had lived and been respected, 
willingly contributed towards her support. From 
one of them he received an annual stipend of 
£10, and was enabled to support her without 
any improper expense to himself. It was ex- 
pected when he took her that she would live but 
a short time, but she recovered in a measure, 
and though a cripple, outlived her kind bene- 
factor. About the time that Mr. Scott was pra^- 
paring to leave London by building a house 
at Aston, for which his means were incom- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 163 

petent, one of the family from whom he had re- 
ceived the annual stipend, and to whom he was 
known only by means of the poor woman, died 
and left him a legacy of <£200. Afterwards 
another of the family died and left him <f40, and 
the stipend was continued for several years. 
For more than thirty-five years, Mr. Scott en- 
joyed the privilege of supporting at a very small 
expense, and of saving from very great distress 
one of Christ's poor members. Such was her 
consistency of conduct, her uniform cheerful- 
ness, and the fervency of her prayer, that not- 
withstanding her sickly condition, her presence 
was considered a privilege by the servants in 
the family, and even by those who received her 
under their roof A striking instance of the 
faithfulness of God to those who trust his Provi- 
dence, while they obey his commands. This 
poor woman was an eminent instance of filial 
piety, and her reward in this life was a residence 
of more than thirty-five years in a pious and 
happy family, where she wanted no good thing. 
Mr. Scott's endeavor to do good to one of Christ's 
disciples was received as done to himself And 
in addition to its being no loss in a temporal 
view, himself and family enjoyed the benefit of 
her prayers, and blessings for her sake, for a 
long course of years. For if we study the 
scriptures, and observe mankind, we shall often 
find pious persons are instrumental of great good 
to the families with whom they reside. (Gen. 
xxx» 27, and xxxix. 5.) 



164 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Mr. Scott left the Lock with the conscious- 
nass of having been instrumental of good both 
to the hospital and Asylum, in their secular and 
spiritual concerns, though he received much 
blame and censure for the measures he pursued. 
His own language was, '' I can rejoice in the 
testimony of my conscience that I uniformly did 
my best, often amidst many censures, and against 
much opposition, to promote the secular inter- 
ests of the charities, as far as was consistent 
with the great object of both of them and the 
chapel — bringing sinners to repentance and sal- 
vation; and that I never suffered my own grati- 
fication, ease, interest, or credit, to warp me 
from that line of conduct which I deemed incum- 
bent on me ; and that, at least, I was enabled to 
defeat very many attempts, the success of which 
it was aflerwards allowed, would have been 
highly detrimental." 

It was Mr. Scott's care, like that of the great 
Apostle to the Gentiles, to keep a conscience void 
of offence toward God and man. Conscious in- 
tegrity will support a man against a host of ad- 
versaries. Our motives should not only be up- 
right and our conduct unimpeachable, but they 
should appear to be so. The gospel requires us 
to avoid all appearance of evil; not to let our good 
he evil spoken of. The Christian has, in a sense, 
the honor of his Lord in keeping. His name 
is identified with that of his Saviour, and it is 
his business to guard it with scrupulous care. 
He has no right to disregard the opinions of the 



iOMI 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 165 

wise and good, nor to make himself the song of 
the drunkard and the sport of the vain. 

The village of Aston was one of the smallest 
in the kingdom, consisting only of two farm- 
houses, and a few laborer's cottages, besides 
the new parsonage, without either ale-house, 
shop or mechanic of any kind; including young 
and old, about seventy persons. Here Mr. 
Scott found a peaceful retreat. His people 
w«re constant at church, and his parochial du- 
ties requiring but a small part of his time, he 
was able to pursue his literary avocations. He 
also found leisure to journey, and among other 
places visited Hull, York, Leeds, Bristol, Ports- 
mouth and Cambridge. 

Mr. Scott's benevolence and Missionary zeal 
have been noticed. Though advancing in life, 
his warm affection for the Redeemer's kingdom 
did not subside, and at the age of sixty he com- 
menced the instruction of missionaries for the 
service of the Church Missionary Society . The 
majority of his pupils were Germans, and were 
all sent out as foreign missionaries. They ever 
expressed the strongest affection and gratitude 
for his assiduous and paternal attention to them. 

In 1808 he commenced the study of the Susoo 
and Arabic languages, and made such progress 
as to be able to teach them to his pupils. Those 
who are acquainted with the feelings of men in 
general when arrived at sixty years of age, and 
with their capacity for new acquisitions, will 
best appreciate the energy and resolution dis- 
14=* 



166 MEMOIRS OF THE 

played in his thus calmly encountering and con- 
quering at this time of life, with all his other 
engagements, and all his infirmities, the for- 
midable difficulties of the Arabic language. 
The Hebrew likewise, which was his auxiliary 
on this occasion, had been entirely resumed, 
and almost learned, since his fifty-third year. 

In this employment he continued from 1807 
to 1814, when a permanent seminary was estab- 
lished by the Society. Long continuance in a 
sedentary posture was painful to him, but he was 
unwilling to relinquish the business, until a per- 
manent institution was provided, which rendered 
his services less necessary. Benevolence seem- 
ed inherent in his nature. Indeed it was impos- 
sible that one who had prayed so long and so 
earnestly for the extension of Christ's kingdom 
among men, should witness the christian world 
awaking from the slumber of ages, and begin- 
ning to put forth its powers in a manner more 
becoming the character of the religion which it 
professes, without heartfelt gratitude and joy; 
or without exerting himself, by every means in 
his power, to cherish the rising spirit. 

Immediately on his becoming a resident at 
Aston he determined to make an annual collec- 
tion in his congreoration for the Church Mis- 
sionary Society. Though it was thought by 
some to be a visionary project for so small a 
village, he resolved to make the attempt, and 
persevere in it, convinced that by exciting an 
interest in behalf of the salvation of others, 



RET. THOMAS SCOTT. 167 

Christian ministers most materially promote the 
success of their labour among their own people. 
His first collection exceeded ,£17. The third 
exceeded <£24. The sixth £31. This was a 
remarkable result, considering the obscurity of 
the parish, and should stimulate our New Eng- 
land parishes to renewed exertions for the spread 
of the gospel. 

His regard to the British and Foreign Bible 
Society has been noticed. Several of his latest 
excursions were made to assist at the meetings 
of its auxiliaries. At one of these meetings he 
closed his address with the following sentences. 
" I conclude as I began: ^Precious Bible, 
what a treasure !' the light of our feet ^ and the Ian- 
thorn of our paths: our guide in youth, our com- 
fort in old age, our antidote against the fear of 
death. The longer I live, the more I feel for 
those who have not the word of God. I am 
growing old, and feel the infirmities of age. I 
know I must soon die. I am a sinner against 
God: I must appear before him in judgment: I 
must exist forever, in happiness or misery: but 
I can find no light, no hope, no comfort, except 
from the Bible. What should I do without the 
Bible, and that Saviour whom the Bible reveals 
to me } While, then, the Bible is our own in- 
valuable treasure, the source of all our knowl- 
edge, hope, and comfort, let us do what we can 

I to communicate the precious treasure to others 
also, all over the world. We can do but little 

.individually, it is true; yet great multitudes. 



1 



168 MEMOIRS OF THE 

cordially uniting, may effect much. Time was, 
since I can remember, when, if I had possessed 
the means in other respects, I should hardly 
have known how to reach out the blessing, be- 
yond my own contracted circle. But this so- 
ciety, and others of a similar nature, so to speak, 
lengthen my arms; and, by concurring heartily in 
the designs of those who conduct them, we may 
stretch out our hands to the inhabitants of the 
east and of the west — of Africa, of Asia, of 
America, as well as of Europe; and give to 
them the light of life. Let us then do what we 
can^ while here; and so wait for the mercy of our 
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.^^ 

Mr. Scott found his residence at Aston much 
more agreeable than any he had found after 
leaving Ravenstone. Like all other affection- 
ate faithful ministers he had to mourn over 
careless impenitent sinners, who still held out 
against aU his admonitions and prayers. Yet 
by the earnest and active character of his piety 
and benevolence, he excited an interest in the 
surrounding neighborhood, in favor of improve- 
ment: schools were established, and charitable 
institutions were formed, where previously such 
things had not been thought of. To stir up 
christians, to improve their talents, was a prom- 
inent object of his instruction; and while he set 
them so eminent an example of the duty incul- 
cated, his labour was not, and could not be, in 
vain in the Lord. \ 

The following letters, the first to his corres- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 169 

pondent in Northumberland, and the other to the 
widow of his friend and patron, will give a view 
of his character as a counsellor and friend. 

'' November 20, 1808. Dear Mrs. R , 

If I had not a most clear and full excuse, my 
conduct in not writing to you would be exceed- 
ingly blamable : but I am so engaged with my 
publications, with letters of business thus ren- 
dered unavoidable, with instructing missionaries 
placed under my care, and with my ministerial 
employments; that I am compelled to decline all 
correspondence which is not absolutely neces- 
sary. It must also be remembered that I am 
growing old, (almost sixty-two,) and never was 
very healthy: and I can assure you that I am 
weary every night at bed-time, as much as any 
poor labourer. Yet, bless God, my health is 
not much worse than when you were with me, 
bating infirmities of old age : and I go on preach- 
ing as often, as long, and as loud, perhaps, as 
formerly, and with great encouragement in this 
obscure place. 

" I wish I was like St. Paul who could say, 
always in evei^ prayer of mine for you ally making 
request ivith joy : but I hope I do not quite forget 
you and your's. I feel gratified by your letter; 
it calls to my mind, what always refreshes it, the 
scenes which took place when you were with us : 
and I hope and trust that he who, (as I then 
most confidently believed, and still do,) began a 
goodnvork in you^ tvill perform it till the day of 
Christ. I am rejoiced to hear that any of your 



170 MEMOIRS OF THE 

children are walking in the Lord's ways: and I 
would encourage your hope ofthe others. Only 
give them good instructions; exercise parental 
authority with firmness, as well as kindness, by 
reproofs and corrections when necessary, &c.; 
set before them sedulously an edifying example j 
and pray for them continually and fervently ; then 
wait, and hope, and acquiesce in the will of 
God; and even those who now seem less prom- 
ising will perhaps become your comfort. What 
you mention of your sister, is also very pleasant 
to me; and, were it practicable, I should be 
glad to see and converse with you both, but I 
suppose we shall not meet, till we meet, as I 
hope, in heaven. 

" I would not, however, discourage your 
writing. I am drawing near the close of my 
work, on which I have spent ten years; and 
after that, I may be more at liberty to answer 
your letters. At present I must conclude. Mrs,. 
S. and my daughter are well, (or as well as 
usual,) and unite in respects and good wishes. 
May the Almighty God, the God and Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, shower down all bles- 
sings, especially spiritual blessings, abundantly 
on you, your husband, your children, your broth- 
er y &c. : this is the sincere prayer of your faith- 
ful friend and servant in Christ.'' 

^'October 8, 1809. My dear madam. The 

event made known to me by Mr. R 's letter, 

though melancholy, was by no means unexpect- 
ed. In general, I am reluctant to intrude on 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 171 

mourners during the first paroxysms of grief: but 
I feel such a special interest in you, and all your 
concerns, that I cannot delay to express how 
sincerely I sympathize with you, I know you 
must grieve, both for your own heavy loss, and 
for that of your dear children, and of many others. 
I would only wish to drop a hint or two towards 
alleviating and regulating your sorrows, that you 
may iiot grieve^ as one without hope, for him who, 
I trust, sleeps in Jesus. While the excellency of 
the husband and father, of whom you and your 
children have been bereaved, enhances the 
greatness of your loss, it infuses the sweetest 
ingredients into the bitter cup. You have no 
^ call to lament, as David over wicked Absalom, 
and many a parent, or wife, or child, over one, 
concerning whom there is no hope, or scarcely 
any , as to the infinite concerns of eternity. You 
have ground for rejoicing amidst your tears: 
your loss is the immense gain of him, whom you 
most love: and surely, would a wish or prayer 
do it, you would not bring him back into this 
sorrowful world — especially in the afflicted 
state, in which he had long continued. You 
will meet again to part no more : and many bles- 
sings are in store for you andyour's, in answer 
to the prayers he had long offered for you. 

" Your dearest earthly friend is taken away: 
but the Lord liveth from everlasting to everlast- 
ing. The event, which you must deplore, (na- 
ture dictates, and reason and revelation sanction 
your doing so,) is, beyond all doubt, the result 



172 MEMOIRS OF THE 

of wise love to you, as certainly as Joseph's be- 
ing sold into Egypt was the result of wise love 
to Jacob and his family. What I do thou know- 
€st not noiv, but thou shalt know hereafter, I am 
of opinion that, if the greatest sufferer, among 
those who have been eventually saved, could 
have known all the good effects of his sufferings, 
to himself and others, and the glory redounding 
to God by means of them; he would have wil- 
lingly and thankfully received his bitterest cup; 
even as Jesus, /or the joy that was set before hhuj 
endured the cross. I can conceive of Bartimeus, 
in heaven, blessing God for his blindness; Mar- 
tha and Mary, for the death of Lazarus; Laza- 
rus, for being called to pass through death twice; 
and why should you not have to bless God for 
this present painful dispensation ? We knoiv that 
all things work together for good to them that love 
God. Your good sense, and your acquaintance 
with the scriptures, cannot fail of suggesting to 
you, that indulging grief however admired in the 
world, is in itself, as wrong as indulging anger, 
or any other passion. You cannot but grieve 
enough, without feeding what should be coun- 
teracted. While the child lived^ I fasted and 
wept., &c. 2 Samuel xii, 19—23. The will of 
God is noio known: though painful, you must feel 
it right to submit, and to say, The Lord gave 
and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name 
of the Lord: and, however great the loss, tho 
all-suflicient God can make it up. 

" I am far from regretting, or thinking it an 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 173 

addition to your sorrow, that you are left with 
seven children. Under God, they will be an 
alleviation of it. Leave thy fatherless children 
tcith me^ I will jireserve them alive; and let thy 
widows trust in me. My dear friend, a most im- 
portant duty, now more important than ever, 
devolves upon you; I am fully persuaded, from 
your past conduct, a duty delightful to you in 
itself. Now, indeed, for a time the delight will 
be mingled with tears; but the importance of 
the duty is proportionably increased; and I can- 
not doubt, that the sorrow will decrease, and the 
joy increase, as you proceed. For the sake of 
your dear children, in addition to higher motives, 
watch and pray against excessive sorrow, and 
against any expressions of it by solitude, or 
omitting the proper care of your health and spir- 
its; which might unfit you for your charge. 
Think thus: ' The whole now devolves on me: 
let me not yield to heartless despondency. The 
souls of my children, and children's children, 
and the welfare of numbers by their means are 
now at stake. ^ 

" Perhaps I have entered too much into de- 
tail: but I write as to one of my own children; 
and you will excuse me. I trust many here are 
praying for you and your's. I cannot but hope, 
that there are far more than a hundred souls, 
perhaps two or three hundred, that will bless 
God for ever, that the living of Aston ever came 
into your family. I hope many pray heartily to 
God for support, and comfort, and every bles- 
15 



1T4 MEMOIRS OF THE 

sing on you and your's. May the God and 
Father of our Lord Jesus be your support and 
comforter J and bless you and your children ! — ^ 
Your's sincerely." 



-^j:^ 



CHAPTER XII. 

Pecuniary embarrassments — Extraordinary relief — His faith-^ 
Answer to Rabbi Crooll — Extracts from his correspondence — 
Death of Princess Charlotte. 

When Mr. Scott sold the copy-right, and the 
remaining copies of his Commentary, it was in 
the full expectation that it would enable him to 
pay the debts he had incurred, and disencumber 
him of the embarrassments under which he had 
so long labored. Writing to a friend he says, 
" I have been struggling hard for many years, 
and have now brought matters to that state that 
I can dispose of the whole. What I am to re- 
ceive, with what my book-seller will owe me, 
will nearly cover all my debts; and it is high 
time that, on the one hand, my borrowed money 
should be paid; and, on the other that I should 
disembarrass my self of worldly cares, and set my 
house in order, that I may be ready wheji my 
summons comes." Though some delays and 
disappointments took place, he continued to en- 
tertain this expectation, and even to hope he 



>-y^> 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 175 

should be found possessed of some moderate 
portion of property till near the close of 1813. 
But at that period, on closing his accounts with 
the bookseller and others, he found to his utter 
astonishment) and with a greater degree of dis- 
quietude, perhaps, than he had ever before felt 
on such a subject, that he was still deficient more 
than £1200 which he had little else to defray 
than printed paper, which appeared to be almost 
unsaleable. This was principally owing to great 
quantities of his books, especially the Theolo- 
gical works in five volumes, being discovered in 
the printer's warehouses, and brought to account, 
which were before considered as sold. Eight 
hundred and six volumes were thus brought for- 
ward in one article. This was a grievous dis- 
appointment, presenting him with apparently 
useless paper, instead of ready money; and in 
a great measure, frustrated his hopes for the 
future. He had calculated that his minor works 
were selling to the amount of £250 or £300 
annually; but it now appeared that the sale was 
not exceeding £100, which made considerable 
difference in his prospects. No wonder the dis- 
covery exceedingly disconcerted and distressed 
him, aged and infirm as he was. But it was of 
no use to sit in despondency; some plan must be 
adopted, to extricate himself, and he proposed 
to sell his Theological Works at a reduced price. 
He issued a circular among his friends, stating 
his situation, and requesting their co-operation 
in finding purchasers. 



176 MEMOIRS OF THE 

The first person, a Clergyman of Cambridge 
to whom he made known his difficulties and his 
proposed means for extricating mmself, returned 
the following answer. '' My Dear Friend, 
Never was a more delightful office committed to 
me, than that which I have to execute at this 
time. Your visit to Cambridge was a blessing 
to many who are anxious to testify towards you 
their respect and love, and who earnestly request 
your acceptance of a few hundred pounds, which 
they have desired me to remit to you in their 
name, and in the name of some others who have 
been benefitted by your writings. Greatly re- 
joicing in an event so expressive of their love to 
Christ, and the veneration they feel for your 
character, I am affectionately yours, 

C. Simeon." 

The remittance comprised £590 as a present, 
besides a considerable sum for books. Many 
other persons in different places testified their 
respect for Mr. Scott by their munificence. 
Jan. 17, 1814, Mr. Scott wrote, " I have re- 
ceived in all from different quarters and from 
those of whom I had never heard the name, quite 
enough to pay all my debts; and as I have rea- 
son to think that most, if not all the works will 
be disposed of, 1 71011) have all and abound, ex- 
cept that I want more thankfulness to God and 
man. I have even declined some offers made 
me. I hope mine will be considered an adjudge 
%''ed case, to encourage faith in God's providence, 
in thoae who are employed in his work." 



REV. tHOMAS SCOTT. 177 

Again, to his eldest son, Feb. 14, 1814. "I 
really expected, at first, little more than to dis- 
pose of two or three hundred copies of the work, 
and I never intimated a desire of further help 
than in that way. You have heard what I re- 
ceived from Mr. S. Since then money has been 
sent me, with the most cordial respectful letters 
from persons of whom I never heard; among the 
rest, £20 from a quaker. Offers were made of 
raising more if I desired it, but I declined. I do 
not owe any thing which I cannot pay on de- 
demand — what I never could say since you were 
born, and I have something in hand, and shall 
receive more besides the works. O that this 
might make me ashamed of all my distrust and 
dejection: and that it may encourage you and 
others, to go on in the work of the Lord, with- 
out anxiety on this ground. Serve him by the 
day, and trust him by the day. Never flinch 
a service because nothing is paid for it, and 
when you want it in reality, you or yours, he 
will pay it." And again, Feb. 25, 1814. '' I 
have received at least £2000 as presents in lit- 
tle more than two months, besides the sale of 
books. You see how easily God can provide. 
Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou 
divell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. ^^ 

Ever after Mr. Scott embraced the gospel, he 
lived by faith in Jesus Christ, not only trusting 
him for the salvation of his soul, but for his daily 
bread. His faith was often severely tried. Yet 
upheld by the arm of divine grace, he endured 
15* 



178 MEMOIRS OF THE 

the trial, and reaped both a temporal and spir- 
itual reward. Yet he was by nature a child of 
wrath, even as others. St. Paul was originally 
no more; yet he learned in whatever state he was^ 
thereivith to be content. He had learned that he 
was a sinner, and that the blessings he received 
were of grace. Christians p^^fess to follow 
their divine Master, and to be, in a measure, 
made like him. . But as a man, he had not a 
place of his own where he might lay his head. 
Christians who are poor in this world's goods, 
should recollect who hath ordered the circum- 
stances of their lives, even that it is He, who 
bled and died for them, and that he knows what 
is best for them. There is more real satisfac- 
tion in trusting in God for our daily bread, than 
the rich worldling can imagine. The Christian 
is assured that so long as he trusts in God, he 
will never leave nor forsake him. To the af- 
flicted and perplexed it is no small consolation 
that God is purifying them for himself; whether 
it be by poverty, sickness or any other distress. 
^^ God will provide," should ever be the chris- 
tian's motto. 

The remainder of Mr. Scott's life affords less 
incidents than his earUer years. Confined, gen- 
erally, within the bounds of his parish, by the 
infirmities of age, and a cancerous affection, we 
must look principally to the temper of his mind, 
and the diligence with which he continued his 
labours in his Master's service. He was still 
considered one ©f the ablest defenders of the 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 179 

truth; and in 1813, the Committee of the So- 
ciety for promoting Christianity among the Jews, 
sent him a copy of Rabbi Crooll's ^^ Restoration 
of Israel," with a request that he would answer 
it, which he accomplished in 1814. He wrote 
on the subject, " I am deeply engaged in the 
Controversy between Jews and Christians, and 
in answering a book by R. Crool, Hebrew 
Teacher at Cambridge. It is my object to draw 
forth the Jews from their lurking holes, to fair 
argument, and I mean to discuss every impor- 
tant question concerning the Messiah of the Old 
Testament, on the ground of the old Testament 
only." 

The following extracts of letters will shew 
what were his further occupations at this time. 
March 13, 1815. I have sent to the Chris- 
tian Observer a sheet of translations from Calvin 
on the uses of the moral law. I think extracts 
from Calvin might be rendered very useful, if 
circulated at this time. But my main occupa- 
tion is the Index to the Bible. The Partners 
are so urgent for me to expedite it, that I am 
I forced to give up or postpone my plan of revision 
, and improvement of the Commentary, which I 
was carrying on, in, I trust, a useful manner. I 
spend half or more of my working time, (which 
is nearly all except sleeping time) about it. I 
find it a difficult and cumbrous business. 

The following hints on the subject of tempta- 
tions arising chiefly from the deep and mysteri- 
ous dealings of God with the human race 3 and 



180 MEMOIRS OF THE 

likewise on that of anxiety concerning the spir- 
itual interest and future state of our children, 
will not be uninteresting to those who have ex- 
perienced the feelings to which he refers. 

March 4, 1816. "I have of late received 
so many letters of painful intelUgence, that they 
have almost been to me hke the messengers 
who followed one another with evil tidings to 
Job; though, I bless God, far from so distress- 
ing; yet in my shattered frame and spirits, 
rather more than I could well support." 

" I have for many years, when assailed by 
harrassing mental temptations, taken occasion 
from them, to leave, as it were, my own per- 
sonal concerns, and to enlarge especially, after, 
or even during their prevalence in supplication 
for the extention of the kingdom of Christ, and 
for the subversion of that of Satan." " Temp- 
tations follow tempters, and Satan has awfully 
prevailed against some persons of a reasoning 
turn of mind. Not one of them, that I have 
heard and know of, seems to have received the 
love of the truth, as well as the knoivledge of 
the truth. A distinction which appears to me 
of great importance. A want of simplicity, 
humility and gravity has likewise been observa- 
ble in them by all competent judges, even w^hile 
brilliant talents excited the admiration of pious 
persons in general." — " I remember that just 
before I entered on my exposition of the book 
of Job, I was much more exercised with temp- 
tations arising from the awful truths of scrip- 



REV. THOMAS SCQTT. 181 

lure, and dispensations of God, than at any 
time before or since ; and I have long thought 
s that this was permitted, among other things, in 
order to give me more realizing views of that 
awful subject, the power and agency of evil 
spirits, than I before had; and that it proved 
very useful to me in explaining that part of 
scripture.'' 

I "March 14, 1816. Human nature verges 

^ to extremes: it is the pendulum, vibrating to and 

fro, and never stationary in medio. Yet truth 

and duty generally lie in medio. The want of 

solicitude about the salvation of their children, 

and undue solicitude about accomplishments, 

\ preferment, and worldly advantages, which are 

prominent in most parents, even professors of 

the gospel, nay, ministers, have been and are a 

most lamentable evil, and a grievous sign of our 

times. But, while this is watched and prayed 

against, we should be careful not to run into any 

i extreme which implies distrust of God, or want 

of submission to his holy and sovereign will, 

who doeth what he pleases, but always does 

iwhat is right; and what all his friends will 

iknow to be right at last, and ought to believe to 

jbe so now. I am of opinion, that few thus 

trained up (in a consistent Christian manner,) 

live and die unconverted. In general, the 

■Lord's method is, I think, first, to bring down 

our wills into submission, unreserved submis- 

[sion; and then to grant the thing longed for: 

^and the sweetness of unreserved submission, 



182 MEMOIRS OF THE 

after many conflicts with unbelief and a rebel- 
lions will, has been greater than almost any I 
ever felt, in having the desires of my heart 
granted me. This was the final result of my 
long protracted rebellion against the doctrine of 
gratuitous election. I shall not forget the 
sweetness of saying, for substance, Even so, 
Father y for so it seemed good in thy sight P^ 

The following deeply Christian and affecting 
letter is to his Northumbrian correspondent, 
who was mourning the loss of a son. 

'^ May 31, 1818. I received your very sor- 
rowful letter, and can truly say, that I sympa- 
thize with you in your sorrow, and do pray that 
the Lord may comfort you under it; and not 
only so, but greatly sanctify it to your soul. In 
order to this, I shall make a few^ remarks on the 
subject, the result of much reflection on the 
state of this suflfering dying world, and on the 
instructions of scripture in this particular. All 
our affections and passions ought to be subordi- 
nated to the love of God, and obedience to his 
his will; and regulated accordingly: so that the 
indtdgence of sorrow is as contrary to our duty, 
as the indulgence of anger ^ though more plausi- 
ble and deemed more amiable; and therefore 
less generally and strenuously resisted. We 
are no more warranted to say, ^ I do well to be 
sorrowful,' (that is, to indulge sorrow,) than I 
do well to he angry, God appoints the event : 
he is wise, righteous, faithful, and merciful; 
and we deserve far worse from him. Hiis ap- 



HEV. THOMAS SCOTT. 183 

pointment is far different from our inclination^ 
or affection; but then we are foolish, partial, 
wayward, selfish. Whether then is right, his 
appointment or our inclination? The former, 
doubtless: and, if so, indulged sorrow is in fact 
rebellion against that appointment; and as such 
should be watched, and striven, and prayed 
against, with all earnestness. The Lord hath 
taken away from us a beloved object; the desire 
of our eyes ivith a stroke: but, is He not all suf- 
ficient? does He not yet live? is He not an 
unchangeable good ? Surely we should not say, 
what have I morel He that made the beloved 
object a comfort to us, is able to comfort us 
without it, immediately, or through other chan- 
nels. ' But, I must love my child and mourn 
his loss.' Yes, yet with submission: you must 
not love your child more than Christ; nor will 
you, if you be, as I trust his disciple. Here 
your love and natural affection must be subor- 
dinated; else it will appear, that, in taking away 
the beloved object, he hath in fact taken away 
an idol. ' But I am not fully satisfied as to his 
soul.' Well then, there were hopeful tokens, 
on which to stay your mind. But if it had not 
been so; think of Eli's two s(ms, and how, 
when their doom was denounced, he said, It is 
the Lord, let him do what seem^th him good. And 
he bore the tidings of their death: but when it 
was added, the ark of God is taken, he fell and 
died. Think of David's beloved Absalom; and 
observe that his strongly marked expressions of 



184 MEMOIRS OF THE 

sorrow are universally condemned, as rebellious 
and ungrateful. Think of the manner in which 
Job's numerous family were at once cut off; 
and of his jealousy, lest in their feasting they 
should sin against God; yet hear him say, The 
Lord gavCy and the Lord hath taken aimy; blessed 
be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned 
not. I question whether Job was more satisfi- 
ed as to the state of any of his children's souls, 
than you are about your son's. Think of dear 

Lady : her eldest son executed as a 

murderer; a hardened wretch, till the last hour; 
the only hope this, that, in his rage in casting 
himself off, the rope broke, and he lived till 
another was fetched, — perhaj^ ten minutes^ — 
and seemed during that space softened, and 
earnestly crying for mercy: yet I never heard 
from her lips a murmuring word. I mention 
these things to show, that your trial is far less 
than many of God's most beloved children have 
suffered: and to encourage your hope that, by 
his all-sufficient grace, you may be comforted 
and made joyful, notwithstanding, as they were. 
" While our children or relations live, we 
cannot be too earnest in seeking their salvation; 
in using every means, and in pouring out our 
prayers incessantly for it; and in enforcing all 
by our example: but, when they are removed, 
as our duty, and our ability to help them finally 
terminate, our sorrow and anxiety, and inquiries 

* I believe at his own earnest request, the time was ex- 
tended to one or two hours. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 185 

about their state, must be unavailing, and are 
very apt to be rebellious. If conscious of 
having done what we could, upon the whole, for 
-their final good ; and of seeking for them, as well 
as ourselves, first the kingdom of God and his 
'vigliteousness ; this should be a source of thank- 
fulness and consolation. If conscious of having 
neglected our duty, we are called on deeply to 
repent and earnestly to seek forgiveness. If 
there were hopeful tokens, we should be thank- 
.iS\x\ for these; and leave the rest to God. If we 
still anxiously inquire, as if we could not sub- 
^mit, without some further assurance of their 
■^happiness; we should consider this as presump- 
tion and rebellion. God withholds, and sub- 
mission is our duty. Jesus, as it v/ere, says. 
What is that to theel follow thou me. Shall not 
the judge of all the earth do rightl May we not 
leave them to his tender and infinite merges ? 
But these considerations should excite us to 
redoubled diligence and earnestness about those 
who are still with us. Even in such cases as 
those of Eli's sons and Absalom, unreserved 
submission is both the duty and the wisdom of 
the deeply afflicted sufferer. I can only add, 
that you must watch and pray against inordinate 
sorrow, as your sin and your misery; and seek 
for resignation, submission, and acquiescence 
in the divine appointment: and never cease 
praying for this, till you can unreservedly say, 
The ivill of the Lord be done! — May God be 
vour comforter, and lift up the light of his coun- 
16 



186 MEMOIRS OF THE 

tenance upon you, and give you peace! I re* 
main, your's affectionately. 

Notwithstanding Mr. Scott's multiplied en- 
gagements, and extensive literary pursuits, he 
found leisure and inclination to attend to the 
common duties and sympathies of life, and to 
impart those instructions to youth which would 
tend to render them respectable in this life, and 
happy in another. 

The following are letters to his granddaughter 
and a niece who, by the death of her mother, 
was left at the head of a family. 

" July 25, 1816. From the letters which you 
write, I am disposed to think of you, and write 
to you, as becoming now a Woman, not as a 
child. God has very bountifully dealt with you, 
in his providence, in giving you a sound and 
good understanding, and very valuable oppor- 
tunities of cultivating it; which, duly improved, 
will do more for your respectability and comfort 
in this present life, than either riches, or those 
showy accomplishments, which you see, and 
perhaps are tempted to envy, in some of the 
children of your superiors. But to be capable 
of doing sortiething useful for ourselves and oth- 
ers is a far better preparation for the future, 
than the habits of a genteel and useless life. 
Learn something every day. Every young 
person who knows how to do something in the 
evening, which was unknown in the morning, 
has made an acquisition which nothing can take 
from him, or her, except by incapacitating either 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 1^ 

body or mind for its functions. But you have 
a far more important advantage afforded you, in 
the rehgious instruction and example set before 
you, and the many fervent prayers poured out 
for you; and in all your great privileges in this 
respept. But be sure, my dear Jane, do not 
rest in these things; nor in notions, nor decency 
of conduct, nor in a form of religion. Be all in 
earnest in secret prayer, and often in meditation 
on what you hear and read, and comparing all 
with the scriptures. Beg of God for his special 
converting grace, to change your heart, and, as 
it were, to graft the tree, that it may bring forth 
good fruit. O consider your soul — eternity — > 
judgment: consider the anxious desires, and 
prayers, and hopes, and fears of your dear pa- 
rents on your account. What delight will it 
give them, to be satisfied that you have chosen 
the good part which shall never be taken away 
from you! how will it be abundant in many thanks- 
givings to God; and rejoice their hearts under 
every difficulty! How would it gladden my 
heart, under all my infirmities, to hear of it be- 
fore I die! What a blessing would you then be 
to your brothers and sisters! I will bless theey 
and thou shalt be a blessing. May God bless 
these hints! May he bless you, and them all!" 
'^ March 13, 1815. — Your situation at pre- 
sent, though it cannot and ought not perhaps to 
be declined, is one of great importance and dif- 
ficulty, and probably of temptation; considering 
Jiow early days the present are w ith you as to 



188 MEMOIRS OF THE 

religion; and how many things being at the 
head of such a family, will bring under your 
management, and in your way. But without 
information as to particulars, I cannot enter on 
much appropriate counsel. You have two du- 
ties: they cannot interfere, but they may seem 
to do so. You must honor, and obey, and 
oblige your father, in all things, except when a 
higher duty to God forbids. You must follow 
his inclination in preference to your own: but 
not in preference to the will of God : and the 
more you give up your own will, the more you 
will find liberty to follow your conscience in re- 
spect of the will of God. By prudence and con- 
sulting propriety; by meekness and gentleness, 
united Avith firmness, in things of importance; it 
may be practicable to you to maintain comfort 
and respectability in your situation, and give a 
happier turn to all domestic concerns. But ea- 
gerness and pertinacity in little things, and plia- 
bleness in things of importance, will undo, or 
prevent all this. 

" Allow me to touch one subject whichi knov/ 
requires great delicacy. A great deal indeed 
will depend on your appearance and dress. I do 
not want to convert you into a quaker, or put 
you into livery, but I cannot be faithful without 
saying, that in your present station, and espe- 
cially as being known to pay attention to reli- 
gion, a considerable revolution will be necessa- 
ry from what I saw when I last met you. You 
Avill take the hint in good part; it is well meant; 



RET. THOMAS SCOTT. 189 

and, if moderately attended to, as to style, ex- 
pense, and attention to dress, will have the hap- 
piest effects, in every way. Especially it will 
make way for your becoming acquainted with 
those who would be a great help to you, and 
exempted from the giddy acquaintance of those 
who can only hinder and ensnare you. 

" I should particularly recommend method to 
you, in your employments. If you would at all 
prosper in your soul, you must secure time for 
retirement, reading the scriptures, and helps in 
understanding them; and prayer, secret, par- 
ticular, earnest prayer. Without this nothing 
will be done. This time, in your situation, will, 
I apprehend, be best secured by retrenching an 
hour from sleep, and such things as merely re- 
late to external decoration, in the morning, be- 
fore your more hurrying engagements begin; 
and in the evening before it be too 4ate. But 
securing time in the morning is the grand thing : 
not that the other should be neglected; but it 
will necessarily be exposed to more interrup- 
tions. A plan, however, should be laid down, 
and adhered to, with as much regularity, at least, 
as that about our meals. That must sometimes 
be broken in upon; yet not often. Above all, 
as much as possible, secure the whole of the 
Lord's day, and firmly stand out against Sunday 
visitings. In addition to this, if you would im- 
prove your mind and heart, learn to redeem the 
fragments of time. Have a book at hand, that 
when you are waiting perhaps for your father or 
16^ 



190 MEMOIRS OF TH>E 

friends to dinner, or on similar occasions, you 
may not let the little oddments of time elapse, or 
rather heavily drawl on as a burden; but take 
the book, and read a little; and, if you lift up a 
short prayer over what you read, so much the 
better. It is surprising how much I have read 
and learned in these fragments of time, which 
most people lose. Gather up ihe fragments that 
nothing be lost. 

'' I am afraid your influence, at first at least, 
will be insufficient for what I am al)out to add; 
but persevering, firm, and mild efforts may do 
much: I mean in avoiding late visits^ and the 
late entertainment of visitors. Even among 
pious persons, I scarcely know any thing more 
hostile to the religion of the closet, that is, the 
religion of the heart and soul. 

^' What you mention in respect of original sin, 
lies at the bottom of all Christianity; and we 
never learn any thing else to much purpose, till 
we become deeply sensible of innate depravity; 
of di moral disease^ which we cannot cure, and 
have not heart of ourselves to cure : but which 
the Lord alone can cure. We ought, however, 
to seek the cure from Him, as we do health from 
the physician, by applying to him, trusting him, 
following his directions, welcoming his medi- 
cines, avoiding what he inhibits, &c. — If you 
propose any special questions to me, in opening 
your mind as you mention, I will, if able, give 
you the best counsel I can. I remain, your af- 
fectionate uncle." 



^ 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 191 

Mr. Scott's incessant study of the Bible ca- 
pacitated him in a peculiar manner, for compos- 
ing a scriptural Concordance. He had this 
great work also in a course of preparation, du- 
ring the time under consideration. And about 
this time he published a translation of the Arti- 
cles of the Synod of Dort. 

In the month of November, 1817, the British 
nation suffered a severe rebuke in the death of 
the favorite Princess Charlotte. Like a true 
lover of his country he wept over its sorrows 
with all the sympathy of youthful patriotism. He 
published a sermon on the occasion, entitled 
*' The voice of God to Britain." A letter writ- 
ten in December says, ^' I never saw him so 
overwhelmed by any calamity. His spirits are, 
however, now revived in some measure, and 
he seems gratified by the manner in w^hich the 
nation at large has received the chastisement. 
His sermons on the Sabbath after he received 
the news were the most affecting, distressingly 
so indeed. He was so overpowered by his feel- 
ings that it was with the utmost difficulty he 
proceeded. It is said age chills the affections, 
but this is not the case with him. He is all 
tenderness and sympathy, — daily, indeed, be- 
coming more like Christ. I sometimes feel 
alarmed at seeing him ripen so fast for glory. 
O that we might catch some portion of his spirit 
before he is taken from us." 

In 1818, the proprietors of the Commentary 
proposed to stereotype the work. It was desi- 



192 MEMOIRS OF THE 

rable, of course, that it should be made as per- 
fect as possible, and that Mr. Scott should, as 
far as life and mental powers were spared, su- 
perintend the revisal. Accordingly, at the age 
of seventy-one he commenced the laborious 
work of revision, still not intending it should su- 
persede his preparation of the Concordance. 
But as the work advanced he found himself 
so engaged in preparing copy and correcting 
proofs that he found little leisure to complete the 
Concordance, and was finally obliged to relin- 
quish the undertaking. This is to be regretted, 
as upon the plan he adopted he hoped to make 
it a more perfect work of the kind than any yet 
published. 

In Dec. 1818, he writes, " Preparing copy, 
five sheets (forty quarto pages) a week, and 
correcting proofs, together with the desire of the 
partners to have the Concordance carried on, 
proposing ere long to begin to print it, makes 
me shrink unduly from letter-writing. I never 
studied each day more hours than I now do." 

February 18, 1819. ''Never was a manu- 
factory more full of constant employment than 
our house; five proofs a week to correct, and 
many sheets of copy to prepare. The first vol- 
ume is nearly finished, and I hope much im- 
proved; yet I feel more and more dissatisfied, 
as discerning more and more the defects. What 
I have lately been finishing off, as to the Con- 
cordance, is fully approved, but I can do so lit- 
tle now that I fear it will never be finished. So 



RET. THOMAS SCOTT. 193 

I have lived to enter on my seventy -third year, 
which I never expected, and am still able to 

1 study and preach, may it be to good purpose. 
My feelings are often very uneasy, but I am 
free from great and sharp sufferings. Pray for 

< me that I may be patient and ready." 

Afterwards he writes " as to the concordance 
it is adjourned sine die. After years of labour 

j and considerable expense, I relinquish it that I 

' might attend to what appeared to me more di- 
rectly the improvement of my talent, and the use 
of my few remaining days. A few months 
might have completed it, but I deliberately de- 
termined in this respect to take my labour for 
my pains, and to expect neither credit nor profit, 
nor even usefulness for my labour. They pre- 
pared me for revising my Commentary to better 
advantage, especially by adducing references 
to notes throughout." 

During these years, in addition to the loss of 
many friends, Mr. Scott was subject to frequent 
ill turns, as well as the increasing decrepitude 
of age. His constant infirmities were asthma, 
pain in the teeth, and an inveterate nausea. 
But the effect on him was different from the 
usual effect of disease on aged persons. His 
feelings of a kind and tender nature seemed to 
become acute, and all those of an angry or harsh 
kind seemed nearly extinct. It was affecting to 
observe, how, if he had dropped a word that 
seemed to himself impatient, (though others did 
not perceive it) or suited to wound the feelings 



194 MEMOIRS OP THE 

of any one, though ever so sHghtly, he would 
presently, with tears, give his hand to the party 
concerned, and ask forgiveness. On him the 
religion of Jesus seemed to have its whole effect; 
even to transform him, in a high degree, into the 
image of God's dear Son. The object of God's 
dealings with us, is to make us holy, to purify 
us for himself. Afflictions of themselves will 
make us no better. It is when we endeavor to 
make a right use of them, and listen to the teach- 
ings of the Spirit in them, that we are made 
holy by them. 

Here follows his last letter to his friend in 
Northumberland. 

" Dear Mrs. R , A letter from you, though 

to spread your troubles before me, seems a re- 
freshment to me, as it reminds me of former 
times; and because I consider all who are con- 
verted by your means, or in answer to your 
prayers, as in some measure the fruit of niy 
former labours. But I am now old (in my sev-^ 
enty-fifth year,) and infirm, and diseased in vari- 
ous ways, and incapable of much exertion; yet 
I still preach once every Lord's day, and ex- 
pound in my house in the evening. I am also 
yet employed with my pen, almost as much as 
formerly, in preparing and superintending a new 
stereotype edition of my Family Bible; but with 
painfulness and weariness, which leave me little 
time or spirits for correspondence. I bless God, 
however, that, though excluded by deafness from 
uauch conversation, my eye-sight i^ not materi- 



REV. THOMAS SOOTT, 195 

ally impaired; and I can use my pen as nimbly 
as ever. 

^' I can sympathise with you in your feelings 
concerning your children, and children's chil- 
dren. All my children are, I trust, serving God : 
and my anxiety, as far as that is concerned, is 
about my grandchildren, of whom I have nine- 
teen. I pray in hope, that they will be gathered 
one by one, though most of them after my death; 
and in this hope, I use such means as I can; 
and desire to leave the whole with a sovereign 
God who delighteth in mercy. 

" You must go on, blessing God for what he 
has done; using what means you can with those 
that are yet without ^ and the furthest off; and 
persist in prayer for them. You mhst stir up 
such of your children as serve God to do what 
they can — and probably, if zealous with a loving 
and prudent zeal, they may do more than you 
can, — and to concur with you in prayer for them: 
and thus you must endeavor to bow in submis- 
sion to God; to wait his time; to be willing to 
leave the world without witnessing their conver- 
sion; yet hoping and praying that they will at 
length be converted. The promises of God to 
his people are so far encouraging yet he has not 
absolutely engaged for the conversion of all and 
every one: and we must leave that painful sub- 
ject, {casting all our care on God,) till the bright 
world to which we are going shall fully satisfy 
tis that He did all wisely and well. 

" I can truly say I seldom forget you and 



196. MEMOIRS OF THE 

your's. I have lost my only brother, aged 
eighty-six, and my only sister aged seventy-sev- 
en, during the last year; and am the only sur- 
vivor of thirteen children; and am dropping into 
the grave. May we be well prepared to go 
whenever the summons comes! Pray for me 
and mine: for me especially, that God would 
give me stronger faith; more lively, assured 
hope; more patience; more love; that I may 
finish my course %vith joy. Earnestly begging of 
our most merciful God abundantly to bless you 

and all your's, I remain, dear Mrs. R , your 

affectionate friend and servant." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Close of his ministry — Introductory observations — Joiiroal of 
his illness — His death — Extracts from memorandums — Re- 
flections. 

Mr. Scott had been particularly anxious 
through his whole ministry, to be preserved from 
dishonouring his holy profession; and the nearer 
he came to the time of his dismissal he became 
the more earnest in prayer that God would up- 
hold him during the scenes of trial and suffering 
that might await him before his last hour. Du- 
ring several years his health had been gAlually 
failing; he viewed his departure nigh at hand, 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 197 

and contemplated it with calmness and tranquili- 
ty. Yet he remitted nothing of his accustomed 
labour. His last sermon was delivered March 
4, 1821, from the words of the Apostle Paul, He 
that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up 
for us all^ how shall he not with him also freely 
give us all things. In the evening of the same 
day he expounded as usual to several of his 
parishioners, assembled in his house, from the 
parable of the Pharisee and Publican. He en- 
tered with much animation into both these sub- 
jects, and in the evening he applied to himself 
in a very affecting manner, the prayer of the 

?enitent Publican, God be merciful to me a sinner. 
n this striking manner did he close his public 
testimony to the faith he had kept during his 
preceding ministry. With such feelings as 
these did he approach the bed of death. No 
wonder he found it a bed of consolation. 

It is the tenour of the life, not that of a few ^^^^ 
morbid and suffering scenes which precede dis- .sHK' 
solution, that fixes the character. Good men ^^^ 
may be unreasonably depressed and dejected, 
and bad men supported and elevated, in the near 
prospect of death, from the mere operation of 
natural causes. We are not authorized by 
scripture to place any dependance on the last 
period of sinking nature, through which the 
Christian may be called to pass to his eternal 
reward. The deaths of the saints described in 
the inspired volume, are, without exception, the 
concluding scenes of long and consistent previ- 
17 



198 MEMOIRS OP THE 

ous devotedness to the services of God. Such 
are those of Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. 
That of Stephen is the only narrative of this 
kind in the New Testament, which regards the 
article of death at all; and the circumstances in 
which he was placed, as the first martyr in the 
Christian Church, may well account for the ex- 
ception. The great Apostle of the Gentiles, 
and the other founders of the new dispensation, 
are exhibited to us in the holiness of their lives, 
in the calmness of their approach towards death, 
in the deliberate judgment they form of their 
past labours, in their exhortations to others to 
supply their vacant posts of duty, in their tri- 
umphant anticipation of their future reward, but 
not in the actual moment of their final conflict. 
It would, therefore, have been no subject of 
surprise if the last days of Mr. Scott had been 
wholly clouded by the natural operations of dis- 
ease. But, though no importance is to be at- 
tached to these hours of fainting mortality, with 
reference to the acceptance and final triumph 
of the dying christian, yet when it pleases God 
to afford grace to the dying christian to seal a 
long and consistent life by a triumphant death, 
we are called on to record with gratitude the 
divine goodness, and be encouraged to perse- 
vere in faith and hope. 

It has been observed that Mr. Scott finished 
his public ministration on March 4. He was 
considerably indisposed through the week, which 
continued with various alterations of encourage- 



KEV. THOMAS 15C0TT. 199 

ment and discouragement until the nineteenth, 
by which time he was reduced to extreme weak- 
ness. 

March 20, scarcely a hope of recovery re- 
mained, and a cloud of gloom rested on the re- 
vered sufferer's mind; doubtless occasioned by 
the power of disease on his body, as it always 
attended the paroxysms of fever. Yet he sel- 
dom lost his hope of final victory. 

21. During a period of great distress he sent 
for his son to come to his chamber, observing he 
wished '^to speak of something of a worldly na- 
ture." He told him that it was time for planting 
his usual crop of potatoes for the poor, and he 
wished such measures might be adopted for do- 
ing it, as would best secure the benefit to those 
for whom it was intended after his decease. An 
instance of the ^' ruling passion strong in death;" 
his care of the poor, blended with his love of 
gardening, which induced him to cultivate every 
corner of waste land for their benefit. 

22. He appeared approaching near his end, 
but the darkness which hovered over his mind, 
began to disperse, and he seemed to rejoice in 
the hope of the glory of God. He requested 
that the Lord's Supper might be administered to 
him, as a means of grace, through which he 
might receive the consolation he was seeking. 
The scene was an affecting one, rendered so 
by the fervor he displayed, contrasted with his 
poor emaciated frame. It seemed to be a cor- 
dial to his spirits, so that be could adopt the 



'200 MEMOIRS OF THE 

words of the venerable Simeon, Lord^ now lettest 
thou thy servant depart in peace ^ for mine eyes have 
seen thy salvation. And he was enabled to dis- 
cern that much of his uncomfortable state of 
mind had been the effect of fever. 

23. During the day the paroxysm of fever 
returned, and with it great distress and gloom. 
He grew calm, and exercised much submission. 
Thou art righteous ^ was the language of his heart, 
and of his lips. 

^4. His sufferings were great but his mind 
was in a delightful state — very desirous to de- 
part, and somewhat disquieted at the thought of 
a lingering illness. 

26. Much weaker in body, but more calm in 
mind, anxious to depart, yet willing to stay, if 
he might do any spiritual good to any one. 

28. His pulse indicated approaching dissolu- 
tion, but he could think and speak with energy 
and clearness. He exhibited much humility, 
faith, tenderness and love. He appeared like 
his Saviour, yet still longing for more holiness. 

30. His situation was thus described by a 
spectator. " His illness has been quite extraor- 
dinary for one of his age, and so much reduced. 
The fever has been so violent — his colour, at 
times, almost resembling mahogany — and his 
pulse from one hundred and fifty, to one hun- 
dred and seventy-five. Being under the influ- 
ence of fever last night, he lost sight of those 
joyful feelings he had before manifested, and 
was gloomy. This morning his language was 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT* 201 

more cheerful, and his prayers of an elevated 
kind; as, "that he might be one of those in whom 
Christ should come to be glorified in that day^ S^c,"^^ 

April 3. Several new and unfavorable symp- 
toms appeared; though a pitiable object of weak- 
ness and suffering, his mind was, in most respects, 
vigorous, and his memory quick and correct. 
It was solemn and interesting to observe the 
pious workings of his mind. 

5. In every thing but comfort, his state might 
be said to be sublimely christian. Such an awful 
sense of eternal things, of the evil of sin, and of 
the holiness of God — such profound self abase- 
ment — such cleaving unto Christ alone — such 
patience, resignation, and unlimited submission 
to the will of God — such a constant spirit of 
fervent prayer — such pouring forth of blessings 
on all around him — with such minute and tender 
attention to all their feelings, as was truly ad- 
mirable to behold . His state was bright in every 
one's view, but his own. His habitual temper 
was that which the words of Job describe. 
Though he slay me, yet ivill I trust in him. His 
deafhess almost wholly confined him to his own 
resources; not being able even to hear prayer 
when offered in his presence. Owing to this 
circumstance he often prayed and thought aloud; 
and the strain of his thoughts, thus discovered, 
was frequently striking and highly elevated. 

10. He observed, " I find myself much more 
able to approach unto God than I was, but such 
.a sense of unworthiness as I cannot express.'' 
17^ 



202 MEMOIRS OP THE 

On parting with his family at night, he said, '^God 
knows how well I love you all; but I have no 
wish to see any of you again in this world." 

13. His weakness increased, but his positive 
sufferings appeared less, and his mind calm and 
cheerful. At times he expressed considerable 
apprehension of the pang of death. 

16. At half past six o'clock in the evening, h.e 
ceased to breathe, quietly as an infant failing 
asleep, and with a beautiful look of composure. 
One of his last efforts was to give his hand to his 
weeping servant: a striking evidence that the 
tender attention to the feelings of those around 
him, which characterized his whole illness, con- 
tinued to form a prominent feature in his state 
of mind, even to the last. After this, which 
took place about five minutes before his death, 
he appeared to be lost in prayer*, but just at the 
moment, when he reclined his head on the breast 
of his attendant, the expressions of his counte- 
nance suddenly changed from that of prayer, 
and indicated a transition to feelings of admiring 
and ad:sring praise, with a calmness and peace 
which were quite inexpressible, and strongly 
impressed upon the beholder the idea that like 
Stephen he saw things invisible to mortal eye. 

The following are a few extracts from memo- 
randums of Mr. Scott's expressions, made during 
his illness, by his daughter. 

In the time of darkness and gloom he prayed 
without ceasing, and with inexpressible fervour. 
He seemed unconscious of any one's being near 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 203 

him, and gave vent to his mental feelings without 
restraint. " I think nothing," he said, " of my 
bodily painSj my soul is all. I trust all w^ill end 
well, but it is a dreadful conflict. I hope — I 
fear — I tremble — I pray. O to enter eternity 
with one doubt on the mind ! Eternity ! Eternity ! 
Eternity! People talk of assurance not being 
attainable in this world, nor perhaps much to be 
desired. They and the devil agree on this point. 
O what a thing sin is ! Who knoweth the po2ver of 
his wrath ? If this be the way to heaven, what 
must be the way to hell } If the righteous scarcely 
be saved^ where shall the ungodly and the sinner 
appear ?" 

He rejected every attempt to comfort him by 
reminding him of the way in which he had served 
and glorified God. ^' Christ is all/' he said; 
" he is my only hope." 

In the midst of his conflict, he generally ex- 
pressed hope of final victory, but thought he 
-should die under a cloud. He accused himself 
of self indulgence and slackness in prayer; of 
having made his religious labors an excuse for 
shortness in devotion. 

His first clear consolation was after receiving 
the Lord's Supper on March 22. He had pre- 
viously observed; ^' An undue stress is by some 
laid upon this ordinance, as administered to the 
sick, and I think others of us are in danger of 
undervaluing it. It is a means of grace ^ and 
tnav prove God's instrument of conveying to me 
-the comfort I am seeking.' The scene was in- 



204 MEMOIRS OF THE 

describable. His fervour^ his humility, the way 
in which he raised his emaciated hands to heav- 
en, his pallid dying countenance, so full of love, 
and expressive of every thing heavenly and holy, 
all together were most overpowering. Shortly 
after the service was concluded, he said, Lord^ 
now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for 
mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Through the 
remainder of the day, and during the night, he 
continued in a very happy frame of mind." 

He had some refreshing sleep and awoke 
in great calmness. '' This" he said, " is heav- 
en begun! I have done with darkness /oreuery 
forever. Satan is vanquished. Nothing now 
remains but salvation with eternal glory y — eternal 
glory. ^^ 

A message was communicated to him from a 
clerical friend, expressive of the great benefit 
he had been to the Church of Christ. " Now 
this," said he, '' is doing me harm. God he 
merciful to me a sinner , is the only ground on 
which I can rest. If I am saved God shall have 
all the glory." 

'' I hope I leave something," he said, referring 
tc his writings, '' which may do good to the in- 
dustrious; and nothing can do good to the idle." 

During a violent paroxysm of fever (March 
23) his sufferings were extreme, and his mind 
confused and gloomy. " All my calm and com- 
fort," said he, ^' are gone, nothing now remains 
of them but a faint recollection, — and that^I can 
pray for you. Well, after all, God is greater 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 205 

than Satan. Is not Christ all-sufficient ? Can 
he not save to the uttermost : Hath he not prom- 
ised to save ? Lord, deliver me. Suffer not Sa- 
tan to prevail! Pity, pitj, Lord, pity me." 

In the evening his fever abated, and he be- 
came calm. His mind dwelt much upon love. 
^' God is love, and he that dioelleth in love^ dwel- 
leth in God^ afid God in him. Faith that loorheth 
by lone. One evidence I have of meetness for 
heaven, — I feel such love for all mankind — ^to 
every man upon earth — to those who have most 
opposed and slandered me." 

^^ At any rate I have been a plain man. The 
hypocrite — the formalist — tvill not pray always. 
I have always resolved to enter eternity praying. 
Lord save me! now the time is come."* 

To his servant, '^ I thank you for all your 
kindness to me. You have been a faithful do- 
mestic, and I hope a conscientious one. If at 
any time I have been hasty and sharp, forgive 
me, and pray God to forgive me; but lay the 
blame upon me, not upon religion." At another 
time, " Pray for me; I value your prayers, and 
that not a whit the less, because you are a ser- 
vant. I have often prayed for i/ow, and I trust 
blessings have come upon you in consequence. 
Pray for me, that, through your prayers thanks- 
givings may redound unto God." 

To a clergyman; " Count it an honor, without 
recompense or reward, in the midst of frowns 
and oppositions, to preach the unsearchahle niches 
of Christ to poor sinners; to help to send his 



206 MEMOIRS OF THE 

word all over the earth. None but Jesus can 
do us good; nor can we do any good to others 
but by him. I have suffered more this fortnight, 
than in all my seventy-four years; and Christ 
has appeared to me a hundred, yea a thousand 
times, if possible, more precious and glorious 
than ever: sin, more hateful and evil: salvation 
more to be desired and valued. Christ is all — 
the love of Christ — the power of Christ. To me 
to live is Christ; and to die ^ I hope, will be gain. 
I hB.ve found more in him, than I ever expected 
to ivant?"^ 

To his daughter; " I used about this time in 
the evening to pray for you all; but I have no 
power now; hardly any to pray for my self You 
must pray for me. Let me look to Christ to 
intercede for me. I have not quite failed to im- 
prove the privilege of access to God by Christ — 
of his intercession: but I have not availed my- 
self of it as I ought. I hope you will all value 
and improve this inestimable privilege." 

To his wife ; '' God be your father, and your 
husband. I trust all mine will be kind to you. 
You have been a great blessing to me. We 
shall I trust meet in heaven. I have less doubt 
of you, than of myself " 

After mentioning his acute sufferings, of the 
severity of which he had no previous conception, 
he added, " If my continuance here in them 
could be of the least spiritual benefit to any one, 
I should be willing to wait." 

On taking some refreshment: '^ When Ido not 



HEV. THOMAS SCCfTT. 207 

like any thing, I leave it; but the Saviour^ 
though the cup was so bitter, did not leave it, 
till he could say. It is finished, ^^ 

'^ I have not that comfort I could wish; but I 
think my mind is made up to bear quietly what- 
ever God may please to send me, however un- 
comfortable even to the end, if it be for his glory." 

On Tuesday mornings March 27, he appeared 
dying, and suffered exquisitely, " Oh," he said, 
^' it is hard work. Death is a new acquaint- 
ance; a terrible one, except as Christ giveth us 
the victory^ and the assurance of it. My flesh 
and my heart seem as if they wanted to fail, and 
could not. Who can tell what that tie is which 
binds body and soul together ? How easily is it 
loosened in some; what a wrench and tear is it 
in others. Lord, loosen it, if it be thy will I 
hope it is not wrong to pray for a release. If 
it be, God forgive me. Yet if it be thy will that 
I should wait for days and weeks, Thou art 
7i,ghteous.'^^ 

^' Father glorify thy namCy^^ was his frequent 
language. His deep humility — the simplicity 
of his faith in Christ — his hatred of sin — his 
spirituality of mind — his meekness, gentleness, 
and love, struck us all with admiration. He 
indeed received the kingdom of God as a little 
child. The very way in which he mentioned 
the name of the Saviour, it was delightful to 
hear. He seemed as much like him as one can 
conceive any thing on earth to be. But his de- 



208 SiEMOIRS OF TJIE 

sires after holiness were such as would never 
be satisfied, till he mvaked in his likeness. "^^ 

" Oh Lord, magnify in me thy glory: — thy 
justice — thy hatred ofsin^ — thy love — thy truth — 
thy pity — and then take me to thyself." 

'' I hopey though I cannot but feel some /ear,- 
and it is such an eternal risky of such infinite im- 
portance, that the slightest fear seems to coun- 
terbalance even prevalent hope." 

To his nephew; "Hate sin more — Love 
Christ more — pray more earnestly — beware of 
covetousness — avoid animal indulgencies, if you 
would lie easy on a death-bed, ^^ 

Once he said, " Change this vile body ofhu- 
miliationy that it nnght be like thy gloyijied bodyy, 
O Saviour But above all let me have thy glo-' 
rious hohness both of body and soul. — How 
varying are my feelings! but the great event 
cannot depend on what passes in a few half de- 
lirious days. No, my hope rests on a better 
foundation, — on my being found in Christ — 
made the righteousness of God in him. Oh for 
faith — faith that worketh by love — purifieth the 
heart — overcometh the world." 

On one occasion after complaining of inter- 
ruption by which he had been prevented from 
praying, he thought, for an hour and an half, 
on being reminded how soon he would serve 
serve God both day and night without ceasing, 
he exclaimed with an energy of which we thought 
him incapable, " O what a transition!" 

This transition he did experience, unaccom- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 209 

panied too, by the realization of many fears. 
He feared he should be left to bring a stain upon 
that glorious cause of which he had long stood 
forth as the champion, the cause of truth. He 
feared that in the period of enfeebled powers he 
should be left to imsaij any thing which in a more 
sound state of mind he had inculcated, and 
should thus give advantage to the enemies of 
the doctrines of the cross. He feared lest under 
the influence of delirium, he should be driven 
to say or do things offensive and dishonorable 
to God. And at times, though not generally, 
he even dreaded the consequences of death. But 
a dread of death itself, of the act and agony of 
dying, harrassed his mind. "No man," he 
said, " can tell me what death is; and I have 
an iron-strensfli of constitution which makes me 
tremble for the last struggle." And he often 
apprehended, he should depart under gloom and 
darkness. But God was better to him than his 
fears. JVbf one thing that he feared came upon 
him; but every hope ivas exceeded. 

These specimens of Mr. Scott's dying ex- 
pressions convey to our minds the most une- 
quivocal testimony of a frame of mind, best 
suited to his circumstances, the most acceptable 
to God, and the most cheering to those deeply 
interested in his eternal welfare. It is perfectly 
true that indications of deep thought — of occa- 
sional perturbation — of anxious searching and 
launching forward, as it were, into the depths 
and obscurities of futurity — and of the heavy 
18 



210 MfiMOIRS OF THE 

pressure of sin on the conscience, discover 
themselves in his dying expressions It is per- 
fectly true also that some clouds occasionally 
interposed, and veiled to his sinking eyes for the 
moment, the glories of the invisible world. It 
is true that his dying scene presents to us an 
individual walking rather in the twilight of en- 
joyment, where the sun and the shade were 
struggling for victory, than in a region of un- 
mixed happiness. But are not such thoughts 
and anxieties the natural accompaniments of 
every step of our pilgrimage ; and, if finally dis- 
persed by the light of faith, and hope, and chris- 
tian joy, does not their presence supply even a 
stronger evidence, to the bystander, of the safety 
of the individual, than their absence ? Undis- 
turbed serenity may be undisturbed delusion. 
A calm after anxiety is a victory after the bat- 
tle — is the palm when the battle is won. And 
such was the case of Mr. Scott. 

Though Mr. Scott passed through deep wa- 
terSy and sometimes walked in darkness^ during 
his last illness, it is not to be supposed that this 
was his constant, or even his habitual situation; 
much less that fear of the final event prevailed 
in him. No: hope as to that point generally 
predominated, though he would say, " Even one 
fear, where infinity is at stake^ is sufficient to 
countervail all its consoling effects." But the 
present conflict was severe; and his holy soul 
could conceive of many evils, short of the failure 
of final salvation, from which he shrunk back 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 211 

with horror. There can be no doubt that these 
distressing feelings were very much the effect 
of disease, as they increased and abated with the 
paroxysm of his fever; yet, with the scriptures 
in our hands we cannot hesitate to concur in his 
judgment, that the malignant powers of darkness 
took advantage of this in a peculiar manner, to 
harrass and distress him. 

The remarkable sufferings of so eminent a 
saint, in his last sickness, may perhaps perplex 
the mind of a young christian. But such a per- 
son should remember that the way to heaven is 
ordinarily a way of tribulation; and that the 
greatest honour God puts on his servants is, to 
call them to such circumstances of affliction as 
display and manifest his grace. What would 
have discouraged a weak and unstable penitent, 
with immature knowledge of the promises of sal- 
vation, only illustrated the faith of the venera- 
ble subject of this memoir. God adapts the 
burden to the strength. But even in the midst 
of his afflictive feelings, it is manifest to every 
real judge of such a case, that a living and strong 
faith was in vigorous activity. Almost every 
word he uttered is an expression of this princi- 
ple. For consolation is one thing, faith another. 
This latter grace often lays hold of the promises 
made in Christ, with the firmest grasp, at the 
very time when hope and comfort are interrupt- 
ed by the morbid state of the corporeal and 
mental powers. Our feelings and frames are 
not the foundation on which we build. Never 



212 MEMOIRS OF THE 

perhaps was stronger faith exhibited even by our 
Saviour himself, than when he uttered those 
piercing words. My Gody my God^ why hast iliou 
forsaken me. 

But it may be further remarked, that very 
important ends were doubtless to be answered 
by these sufferings, not only to the church gen- 
erally, but to the venerable sufferer. Possibly 
his extraordinary talents, his extensive success, 
his long and familiar acquaintance with all the 
topics of theology, his surprising influence over 
a wide circle of readers, may have required this 
last struggle to check every remaining tendency 
to self-elevation and make him feel more deeply 
than ever what he confessed through life in so 
unfeigned a manner, that he was in himself 
nothing but a most guilty and unworthy sinner. 

Throughout Mr. Scott's illness, all his temper 
and dispositions marked a soul ripe for heaven. 
His patience was most exemplary, though this 
was the grace which, almost more than any 
other, he feared would fail; but it increased to 
the end. On the only point on which any ap- 
proach to impatience had been discovered — his 
desire to depart — he had become almost perfectly 
resigned. His kindness and affection to all who 
approached him, were carried to the greatest 
height, and shewed themselves in a singularly 
minute attention to all their feelings, and what- 
ever might conduce to their comfort, to a degree 
that was quite affecting; especially at a time 
when he was suffering so much himself, oflen 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 213 

in mind as well as body. Even in the darkest 
time, Tlwu art righteous I Father glorify thy 
imme! solemnly enunciated, was the sentence 
most frequently on his lips, and marked his pro- 
found submission. His humility and sense of 
utter unworthiness seemed more deep than 
words can express. It need scarcely be said 
that Chnst was now more precious in his eyes 
than ever; and his expressions of exclusive^ 
undivided and adoring adherence to him for sal- 
vation, if possible more strong. At the same 
time, he refused the appropriation to himself of 
those promises which belong only to true be- 
lievers in Christ, except as it could be shewn 
that he bore the character commonly annexed to 
the 'promise^ — such as those that /ear the Lord, 
that love God, repent^ believe and obey. When 
he could not trace this in himself, he would have 
recourse only to those which encourage even 
the chief of sinneis to come to Christ, and as- 
sure them, that him that cometh he ivill in no ivise 
cast out. 

Thus lived, and thus died the Rev. Thomas 
Scott. A man in whom, and by whom, the God 
of grace chose to glorify himself, by plucking 
him as a brand from the burning, and using him 
as an instrument, in erecting that building of 
which Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone. 



18* 



214 ' MEMOIRS or THE 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Hk Character — Habits — Sentiments on Education. 

Of Mr. Scott it may emphatically be said, 
that he fought a good fight ^ finished his course ^ 
and kept the faith. The manner in which he 
was called to the spiritual combat was remarka- 
ble. His narrative of his spiritual change, will 
be classed in future times with the most im- 
portant of those various works, which in dif- 
ferent ages have recorded the triumphs of the 
gospel of Christ. "The Force of Truth" 
affords a striking illustration of divine grace, 
and sets before us an impressive picture of a 
laborious and successful investigation of truth. 
It reminds the reader of the early history of 
Luther, painfully working out his own way by 
intense prayer and study of the scriptures; a 
circumstance which distinguished that great 
reformer. The church has seen few examples, 
in these latter days, of the efficacy of the doc- 
trine of Christ, so minutely and satisfactorily 
detailed by the avowals of the individuals, as 
in the instance we are now considering. We 
here behold a man of strong natural powers^ 
intrenched in the sophistries of human pride, 
and a determined opponent to almost all the 
chief truths of the gospel, gradually convinced 
and subdued. We see him engaging in a 
laborious study of the scripture with opinions 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 215 

and prejudices firmly fixed, and reluctantly to 
admit a humiliating scheme of theology; yet 
boJ*ne on, contrary to his expectations, his 
wishes and worldly interest, by the simple 
energy of truth. We view him, to his own 
dismay, arriving at one doctrine after another. 
We behold him making every step sure as he 
advances, till at length, he works out, by his 
own diligent and anxious investigation of the 
sacred volume, all the parts of divine truth, 
which he afterwards discovered to be the com- 
mon faith of the church of Christ, the essen- 
tials of divine revelation. He was thus taught 
the apostolical doctrines, of the apostacy of 
man, of hisimpotency to any thing spiritually 
good, the atonement of Christ, the triunity of 
persons in the Godhead, regeneration and pro- 
gressive sanctification by the Holy Spirit, jus- 
tification by faith only, and salvation by grace. 
These great principles he perceived to be indis- 
solubly connected with repentance unto life, 
separation from the sinful customs and spirit of 
the world, self-denial, bearing reproach for 
Christ's sak^holy 4ove to God and man, and 
active engagWiness in the service of God. 

After he had once discovered and embraced 
the chief doctrines of the New Testament, 
he may tr.uly be said to have kept the faithy 
with undeviating constancy. During forty-five 
years, he continued to teach and write and live, 
in the spirit of those holy principles. There 
are few writers in whom consistency is so con- 



216 MEMOIRS OF THE 

spicuous through so many voluminous works. 
His scheme of doctrine was not more apos- 
tolical than his method of elucidating it was 
perspicuous. He kept the faith by supporting 
a theology, not only pure and orthodox, but 
scripturally exact in its arrangement, propor- 
tions and harmony, and applying its several 
doctrines to their appropriate use. In this 
view, the habit which he had formed of study- 
ing the scriptures for himself, and of diligently 
comparing all its parts with each other, was of 
essential service to him. He entered as fully 
into the great system of plain means and duties 
on the one hand, as of the mysterious doctrines 
of divine grace on the other. 

With such fidelity it is not surprising that he 
had, like the apostle before him, to fight a good 
fight. He was not a man to receive the im- 
pression of his age, but to give it. On various 
occasions he thought it incumbent on him to 
come forward publicly in defence of the faith 
of the gospel; a task, in the execution of which, 
the firmest adherence to truth, and a candid 
treatment of his opponents, were ever united 
with singular knowledge of Scripture, with 
a simple honesty of purpose, and principle, 
which it was difficult for an impartial inquirer 
to withstand. 

In these and other labours he finished his 
course. For his attention was not absorbed by 
his writings. He was a laborious minister in 
every function of that sacred calling, and es* 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 217 

pecially in the more retired walks of it. In 
the pulpit, indeed, an asthmatical affection, 
added to a strong provincial accent, an inat- 
tention to style and manner, united with pro- 
lixity, rendered his discourses less attractive 
than those of many inferior men; though even 
here, such were the richness and originality of 
his matter, with his evident acquaintance with 
scripture, and the human heart, and such the 
skill he evinced as a christian moralist, that by 
hearers of attentive minds, he was heard with 
respect and dehght. But in visiting the sick, 
in resolving cases of conscience, in counselling 
young ministers, in assisting various religious 
and benevolent institutions, his success was 
peculiarly great. Indeed if his exertions as an 
author were left out of consideration, his other 
labours for forty-five years, as the chaplain of 
a hospital, as a parish minister, as a member of 
society, and of the christian church, would 
place him on a level with most pious clergymen, 
however zealous, diligent or useful. 

But his most extensive field of usefulness 
was as a Commentator on the Holy Scriptures. 
In this he may be truly said to have finished his 
course, as well as fought a good fight, and kept 
the faith. It is difficult to form a just estimate 
of a work on which such an author laboured 
for thirty-three years. It entitles him to rank 
at the head of the theologians of his own time, 
as the most laborious and important writer of 
the day. The principal excellence of this valu- 



218 MEMOIRS OP THE 

able and immense undertaking, consists in his 
following more closely than any other the fair 
and direct meaning of every part of scripture, 
without regard to the niceties of human systems; 
it is in every sense of the expression a scrip- 
tural comment. Every part of it is thought 
out by the author for himself; not borrowed 
from others. The later editions are enriched 
with brief and valuable quotations from several 
writers of credit, but the substance of the work 
is entirely his own. 

Mr. Scott's excellence was not confined to 
his public character. He was a christian in all 
the walks of Jife. The religion of Jesus was 
his rule; the example of Jesus his pattern. 

Determination of mind in serving God formed 
the basis of his character, and gave strength 
and firmness to the whole. His decision of 
character appeared principally in his religion. 
His temper and conduct were governed by the 
doctrines and precepts of the Bible. No one 
could ever mistake him. He ever avowed 
what he conscientiously believed to be true. 
Frank and sincere in his disposition, he stooped 
to no subterfuge, he needed no disguise. His 
own slow and reluctant manner of receiving 
truth at first, inspired him with confidence that 
he was right, and nothing could turn him aside. 
His powerful discriminating judgment, united 
with his superior knowledge of scripture, gave 
such firmness to his mental and active habits, 
that h(e seemed like a giant among children^ 



REV. TflOMAS SCOTT. ^19 

regardless of their puny opposition, and intent 
only on the achievements of his own great 
objects. It must not be denied that he some- 
times erred by waiit of sufficient consideration 
for the feelings and prejudices of others; and 
was sometimes betrayed into rudeness and over 
confidence; but these were human failings which 
he constantly opposed, and as he advanced in 
life gradually subdued, while his sterhng honesty 
and decision, the spring of all his usefulness^ 
remained unimpaired. 

Extraordinary diligence was a prominent trait 
in his character. He was always at work, 
always redeeming time, yet never exhibited 
haste. His heart was given to his pursuits; 
his labour was his delight. He gradually ac- 
quired in an unusual degree, the habit of ab- 
i $tr acting his mind from sensible objects, and of 
concentrating his thoughts on a particular topic; 
nor would the interruptions inseparable from a 
hurried journey, or from a walk through the 
busy scenes of a great city, divert his mind on 
such occasions. By this means, he lived twice 
the time, that most students do, in the same 
number of years. To support this he had an 
iron-strength of constitution. For more than 
forty-five years, he daily studied eight or ten 
hours and frequently twelve or fourteen. His 
relaxations were often equal to the diligence of 
others. But it was not merely incessant labour 
which distinguished this remarkable man, it was 
labour directed to important purposes. He 



220 MEMOIRS OP THE 

was not merely studious, but studious of what 
was immediately useful. He was not a desul- 
tory reader, attracted by every novelty, and 
wasting his time on the fashiorable publications 
of the day, but chose such works as were be- 
neficial, and subservient to his own pursuits. 
From the age of fifteen he was entirely self- 
taught, his means of purchasing books were 
small, and his access to libraries extremely 
limited. He never remitted his exertions to 
improve his works. After thirty-three years 
bestowed on his Comment, he was as assiduous 
in revising, as he had been in improving it. 
The marginal references cost him seven years 
of labour. And the interval betv/een the fourth 
and fifth editions was employed in attempting 
a Concordance on a new plan but which he did 
not live to complete. 

In his domestic circle his character was most 
exemplary. No blot ever stained his name. 
What he appeared in his preaching and writ- 
ings, that he was among his children and ser- 
vants. He carried his religion into his house, 
and placed before his family the doctrines he 
taught, embodied in his own uprightness of con- 
duct. He was a man of much conversation. 
All his studies and pursuits were talked over 
with his family. He was indeed alivays and in 
every place apt to teach ^ so that even his domestics 
gradually acquired a degree of information, on 
a diversity of subjects, which made them appear 
enlightened, when compared with most persons 



N 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 22l 

of the same rank in life. He exhibited to his5 
family, a holy and amiable pattern of true piety — 
he was a man of God — -imperfect indeed, but 
consistent and sincere. Accordingly all his 
children, through grace, became hopefully pious 
during his life. He lived to experience the ful- 
filment of that gracious promise, I will be a Gocl 
to thee J and to thy seed. Our Heavenly Father 
has instituted an inseparable connexion between 
our duty and our happiness. There is reason 
to believe that those parents, who, in the exer- 
cise of strong faith, dedicate their children to 
God in the way of his appointment, nnd faith- 
fully perform the conditions of the covenant in 
bringing them up in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord, will eventually meet them in glory. 
Gen. xviii, 19. Prov. xxii, 6. It is true that 
many pious persons have profligate children, but 
the cause may generally be found, even by 
short-sighted man, in some radical defect in 
education. There is such a thing as parents 
being pious for themselves and not for their 
children. No doubt can be entertained of the 
piety of Eli. Yet divine judgments were de- 
nounced upon his posterity because his sons made 
themselves vile^ and he restrained them not. Nor 
does this militate against the doctrine of divine 
sovereignty, which sometimes chooses the chil- 
dren of wicked and abandoned parents, to make 
^^va fellow citizens with the saints, and members 
of the household of God. 

A devotional Bipirit was a conspicuous orna- 
19 



^ZIH ME3I0IRS OF THE 

merit of Mr. Scott's character. He lived near 
to God. He prayed not only for himself, but 
for others, for the conversion of a vi^orld lying 
in wickedness, the extension of the Redeemer's 
kingdom. Intercessory prayer was his delight; 
and on his dying bed he thought he had failed 
less in that duty, than in any other. And what 
christian is there who does not love to intercede 
at the Throne of Grace, for a world of sinners, 
for his country, his relatives, his friend, who is^ 
as his own soul — that his divine Redeemer may 
be glorified in them all. What more delightful 
employment can there be than that of mutual in- 
tercession. 

" There is a place where spirits blend, 
" Where friend holds fellowship with friend; 
" Though sundered far, by faith they meet 
" Around one common mercy seat." 

His faith and patience under affliction must 
not be omitted. His constitution was robust^ 
but his health was not good. His ill health, 
perplexities and trials have been noticed. Al- 
lusion has been made to his mortifications and 
vexations. Those who observed him in sea- 
sons of peculiar difficulty were often reminded 
of the words of the Royal Preacher, The Spirit 
of a man will sustain his infirmity. This seemed 
to be the brief history of his life. Perhaps few 
writers who ultimately attain the esteem and 
influence which this remarkable man possessed 
for the last twenty years of his labours, ever 
reached such an eminence through greater dis- 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 223 

couragements of almost every description. Du- 
ring the twenty five years preceding that period, 
he had experienced inconveniences and diffi- 
culties in a degree that scarcely can be imag- 
ined by any but his intimate friends. 

It is the character of the righteous that they 
trust in God; place nnlimited confidence in his 
wisdom, power and disposition to take care of 
them. Though sensible of their unworthiness 
and nothingness, they fully believe, because he 
has said it, that they shall be in everlasting re- 
membrance. Hence when in adverse circum- 
stances they realize that ajjliction cometh not 
forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spying out 
of the ground, but that it is the hand of God 
that hath touched them. They know too, be- 
cause he hath said it, that he doth not afflict 
loillingly, nor gmeve the children of raen, but for 
their profit that they may be partakers of his ho- 
liness. With such views, they not only submit, 
but they acquiesce in his dispensations, confi- 
dent that he knows what is best for them, and 
and will so order their temporal circumstances 
as to promote their spiritual good. Though 
povertyand perplexities are their constant lot, 
they unite diligence in business v/ith unshaken 
confidence in their Heavenly Father to supply 
their daily wants. God will provide, is their 
motto: they therefore trust in the Lord, and stay 
themselves upon their God. Such was the faith 
of Mr. Scott. He lived by faith, and he reaped 
the reward of faith. 



224 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Disinterestedness was also a striking feature in 
the character of Mr. Scott. It was a favorite 
maxim with him, that what is best for the soul, 
is really best for us. He always looked upon 
worldly possessions for himself or his family, with 
a jealous eye. Particularly he deprecated the 
idea of clergymen aspiring at wealth — meaning 
by that term much more moderate property than 
some would understand. His expressions at 
the beginning of his religious course wiil not be 
forgotten. " We are to live at the altar; but a 
livingj a bare decent maintenance, without any 
avaricious or ambitious views of advancing our- 
selves or our families should content us." He 
acted on this principle through life. ^-— — - — 

This view of Mr Scott's character may be 
closed by r.oticing the gradual but regular ad- 
vance which he made in every branch of real 
godliness, and especially in overcoming his con- 
stitutional failings. This is the best test oi 
christian sincerity. His failings, as has been 
intimated, lay on the side of roughness and se- 
verity of temper, pride of intellect, and confi- 
dence in his powers. But from the time when 
he obeyed with his whole heart the truth of the 
gospel, he set himself to struggle against them, 
to study self-control; and he gradually so in- 
creased in habitual mildness, humility, and ten- 
derness for others, as to become as exemplary 
for these virtues, as he had long been for the 
opposite qualities of religious courage, firmness 
and determination. He used to observe, '' that 




REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 227 

is of vastly greater importance than any par- 
ticular branch which is to be acquired by it. 

4. Another thing which he considered of im- 
portance was, forming them to habits of content- 
ment with their condition in life. Impressing 
upon their minds the importance of conforming 
to their station and circumstances, in their style 
of living, dress, company, &c. 

5. On the subject of religious instruction, his 
views were in some measure altered. He wafe 
convinced he had done too little by way of stor- 
ing their minds with passages of scripture, cat- 
echisms, &c. not only from want of time, but 
from an unfounded fear of producing formality. 
Observation of facts had produced this change 
in his sentiments. He now considered it essen- 
tial to have the memory, while in youth, occu- 
pied with scripture truths, that the reception of 
errour might in a considerable degree be pre- 
vented. His principal method of instruction 
had been by family devotion, reading and ex- 
pounding the scriptures, by the general tenor of 
conversation in his family, by improving passing 
occurrences for the occasion of religious re- 
marks; and teaching young persons to take a 
religious and christian view of whatever took 
place. While children were young he would 
have his daily expositions adapted to their un- 
derstanding. He would have evening worship 
at such an early hour that children of seven or 
eight years of age might be present. 

6, He pressed the importance of parents 



:228 MEMOIRS OF THE 

gaining the affections of their children, inducing 
thQjPit to prefer their company and conversation 
to that of others,- and to make them their confi- 
dents. He thought every method should be 
taken to train up their ohildr^n to union and 
cordiality. Let them be guarcfed, and taught to 
guard against^ e^ty thing that would te^ld to 
weaken the bond of friendship which ought to 
exiay)etween children ofthe same family. There 
will DC different turns of mind, there will be 
temptations to envy, jealousy and murmurings, 
but discord should be Watched against as the 
deadliest foe to a family. Respectability, hap- 
piness, usefulness, all depend upon its exclusion. 
A threefold cord is not soon broken^ but a house 
divided cometh to desolation. 

On the subject of establishing authority, he 
thought when it was once settled who was mas- 
ter, the parent and not the child, the business of 
government was ever after comparatively easy. 

On correction he was decided as to the pro- 
priety and necessity, as the appointment of God. 
Yet he thought it need not be frequent, if it 
were properly administered. He would not 
have it applied for small faults; for what resulted 
from childish levity and inconsideration; but 
only for what was wilful, rebellious or immoral. 
A child was to be punished, not for being a 
child, but for being a wicked child. Of course, 
he thought that chastisement was to be applied 
coolly, and with deliberation, to fulfil a duty 
painful to our feelings, not for our gratification. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 225 

it was no excuse for a man to allege, that this 
or that holy temper was not his turn, for every 
grace ought to be, and must be the turn of every 
sincere christian." His life was an exhibition 
of real christian holiness. 

As Mr. Scott was so happy as to see all his 
children who lived to adult age, (three sons and 
one daughter) hopefully pious, it may not be 
uninteresting to the reader to know his senti- 
ments on education, and his method of putting 
them in practice : and though they may be found 
to differ in some respects from modern theory 
and practice, they were found in one instance 
at least, to have been equally successful. 

In 1818, on an occasion when most of his 
children and some of his grandchildren, were 
collected at his house, at their request, he gave 
them the outlines of his practice in educating 
his children, interspersed with directions for the 
benefit of those present: some of the particulars 
of which are as follows. /i 

1. One thing upon whicfh he could lookback 
with satisfaction and which he would earnestly 
inculcate was, that he had ever decidedly sought 

first the kingdom of God and his righteousness , for 
his children as well as for himself; and this not 
merely in his prayers, but in his instructions, 
and in disposing of them in life. 

2. He enjoined upon them to teach their 
children subjection. This, he remarked, was as 
essential to their own welfare, temporal and 
spiritual, as to that of the familv, the church and 

19* 



^26 MEMOIRS OF THE 

the state. The exercise of authority is perfect- 
ly consistent with kindness and affection; and 
it should be so well established that from infancy 
children should not think of deliberately oppos- 
ing their parents' will, or of having or doing 
what he disapproves. This is the greatest safe- 
guard that can be placed about young persons. 
Subjection to authority is God's ordinance, es- 
sential to the belief and practice of religion. If 
it be true that there are more pious women than 
men, he would ascribe it very much to this cir- 
cumstance, that they are more habituated to 
restraint and subjection. Here, observes his 
son, " I take the liberty of bearing my testimo- 
ny to the great value and advantage of the dis- 
cipline under which we were educated. There 
was no want of affection, or confidence in my 
father's family; but there was an awe of paren- 
tal authority: any thing to which he could not 
freely consent was out of the question with us. 
This is a preservative from a thousand sins, and 
follies and miseries, to which those young per- 
sons, who have an unsubdued will, are exposed." 
3. He enforced, as of great importance the 
forming of habits of application. The idea of 
teaching every thing as play or entertainment, 
could it be realized, would sacrifice the great 
moral benefits of education. The difference 
between work and play should be felt; and the 
proportion of the former to the latter should be 
gradually increased. The habit of application 



MAR 9-1948 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 229 

In regard to the education of his own chil- 
dren, a resident in his family once observed 
'' He would have been a wise father if he had 
not been a religious one; just views were s© 
obvious to his wise mind." 



CHAPTER XV. 

His publications. 

The following List of Mr. Scott's Publications 
will give a connected view of his unwearied 
diligence and zeal in the cause of truth 
n79. Force of Truth. 
r?5^ Discourse on Repentance. 

Thanksgiving Sermon. 
}23^ Sermon on Election and Final Persever- 
ance. 

^^^^: Pamphlet on the fatal consequences of 
*■ ""' Female Prostitution. 

Funeral Sermon on Dr. Conyers 
1791. Discourse on the Death of John Thorn- 

—---'''**" ton Esq. 

JJQ^i-^^^Civil Government and the Duties of 
'"^ Subjects. 

1793. The Rights of God. 

i7a^'i '^^^^^.''^ *^^ ^^^^* important subjects in 
^^^^' } ^R^ligion, in numbers. 



^30 MEMOIRS OF THE 



111 /L .i Notes on Banyan's Pilgrim's Progress, 
TJ^S^> in numbers. 
17^7 Answer to Paine's Age of Reason. 
Volume of Sermons. 

1797. Warrant and Nature of Faith. 

1798. Observations on the Signs and Duties of 

the Times. 
Thanksgiving Sermon. 
Fast Sermons. 

1801. Sermon before the Church Missionary 
" Society. 

1802. Four Sermons. 

Sermon at the close of a Course of Lec- 
tures. 

1803. Funeral Sermon for Rev. 1. Newell. 
iwt Sermon before the London Missionary 

Society. 
1808 Funeral Sermon for Rev. T^Penty cross. 
"T5TO Sermon on the Death of tlie Missionary 
Barneth. 
Sermon for the Jews Society. 

1811. Address to the Missionaries proceedmg 
...... to Africa. . 

1812. Sermon for the London Female Peni- 
— — - tentiary. , , -d 
1811 Remarks on the Bishop of Lmcoln s Ke- 

_ futation of Calvinism. 

1814. Work on the Question between Jews 

and Christians. 
^ Sermon on the Peace. 

1815. Sermon on the Death of Lady Mary 
Fitzgerald. 



:> 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 231 

1815 to ISl'L. Letters on Ecclesiastical Estab- 

— — «- lishments. 

1817. History of the Synod of Dort. 

G ermon on the Death of the Princess 
Charlotte. 

The Collection of his Theological Works, in 
five volumes octavo, was published in numbers, 
between the years 1805 and 1808. 

He published new and revised editions of sev- 
eral of the above named Works. .. 

The publication of his Commentary Was com- 
menced March 1788, finished June 179^. Se- 
cond edition commenced 1802, completed 1809. 
Third edition commenced 1807, completed 1811. 
Fourth edition commenced 1812, completed 
1814. The fifth edition, with considerable im- 
provements, was in progress and had reached 
as far as 2 Tim. iii, at the time of the Author's 
death, 1821. 



£32 MEMOIRS OF THE 

CHAPTER XVI. 
3MtXSKOIR or AXV^XOTZS SCOTT, 

ELDEST DAUGHTER OE REV. THOMAS SCOTT, WHO 
DIED AT WESTON UNDERWOOD, MAY^ 1780. 

Anne Scott was born in 1785. At the age 
of three years and a half she had an extraordi- 
nary and distressing illness, so that for several 
weeks there was Hale hope of her recovery. 
Her excellent father, aware that she was by na- 
ture a child of ivrath, even as others^ and that 
without regeneration by the gracious operation 
of the Holy Spirit, she must be eternally lost; 
and conscious that she had hitherto given no 
evidence ot such a change having been wrought 
in her, was greatly distressed about her eternal 
»tate; and repeatedly and earnestly besought 
the Lord that he would not take her away, with- 
out affording some evidence of a new heart, and 
faith in Jesus Christ. Contrary to all expecta- 
tion she recovered and lived just another year. 
Half of that year, she gave no unusual attention 
to religion, but exhibited proofs of a ready un- 
derstanding, and quick apprehension of whatev- 
er was taught her ; and indeed, she almost taught 
herself to read, and was considered as a remark- 
ably forward child. 

But when the year was half elapsed, on her 
father's returning home one evening, her moth- 
er informed him that Anne had behaved very 



REV. tflOMAS SCOTT. 233 

ijl, and been so rebellious and obstinate that she 
had been constrained to correct her. Her fath- 
er took her upon his lap, and began to talk to 
her. He told her that she had often heard that 
she was a sinner against God — that sin was 
breaking the commandments of God, — that God 
had commanded her to honour and obey her 
father and mother — but that she had disobeyed 
her mother, and thus sinned against God, and 
made him angry with her; far more angry than 
her mother had been — that she had often heard 
that she must have a new heart or disposition — 
that if her heart or disposition were not wicked 
she would not thus need a new one, but that her 
naughty behaviour to her mother (mentioning 
some other instances) shewed that her heart 
was wicked — ^that she therefore needed forgive- 
ness of sins, and a new heart, without which she 
could not be happy in another world, after death. 
He continued to converse with her, in language 
adapted to her age, of the love, and mercy, and 
grace of Christ, what he had done and suffered 
for sinners, and his condescension to little chil- 
dren, &.C. His paternal heart yearned over his 
j child, and out of the abundance of his heart, his 
1 mouth spake. He concluded by giving her di- 
rections, and urging upon her the importance of 
I praying to God to forgive her sins, to give her 
a new heart, and not let her die until he had 
done it. 
j From that time till her death, she was constant 

' in the daily exercise^ of prayer for the forgive- 
20 



234 MEMOIRS OlF THE 

ness of her sins, for a new heart, for blessings 
on her father, mother, brothers, and others of 
the family. She was often overheard in a httle 
room to which she used to retire ; and on some 
occasions her prayers were accompanied with 
sobs and tears. Once she was guilty of an un- 
truth and her father reasoned and expostulated 
with her oxt the wickedness of lying. After 
which she retired to the little room, wherie her 
cries for forgiveness, her prayers for a new and 
better heart, and that she might not die before 
her new heart came, were affecting to a very 
high degree. It was with difficulty she could 
proceed, her feelings were so agitated. In fact, 
she exhibited in miniature, the exercises of an 
adult penitent, and ever after discovered the 
sincerity of her repentance^ by a wonderful cor- 
rectness of deportment. 

She had a very retentive memory, and took 
much pleasure in committing hymns, particularly 
Dr. Watts' and the Olney Hymns: would often 
observe that she had found a beautiful hymn, 
and then repeat it. 

She exhibited the faithfulness of a real chris- 
tian. A favorite servant in the family would 
sometimes speak improperly, and then little 
Anne would remonstrate with her, and say, 
^^ Do not use such words Kitty; you will cer- 
tainly go to hell if you say such naughty words." 

She understood much of the plan of salvation. 
" Papa," she said, "you preached to day con- 
cerning th© Lamb's blood." He answered. 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT. 235 

'^What does that mean?" She replied, *4he 
blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God which 
taketh away the burden of sin out of our hearts." 

The day preceding her death, she read to her 
father a chapter in John, in which the Jews 
charged Jesus with breaking the Sabbath. On 
this she paused and said, " Papa, did Jesus 
Christ ever break the Sabbath day?" He an- 
swered, '^ No, but he did good on the Sabbath, 
and his enemies called that breaking the Sab- 
bath." " I thought so, she said, Jesus was al- 
ways good, but we are all naughty till he makes 
us good: Peter was a good man, but Peter was 
naughty till Jesus Christ made him good." 

She was much delighted with religious con- 
versation, and would stand fixed in silent atten- 
tion, when pious friends were at the house, and 
no play or amusement would draw her off: and 
when the company had retired she would some- 
times make enquiries of her parents concerning 
the subjects of the conversation. 

The day previous to her death, as her father 
was sawing wood in ^'' '^-^ ^^ ; , * 
side, prattlin^r : 
large lo'^ 
and y 
mi 



t236 MEMOIRS, ETC. 

him and said, " I am very •sick, what must I do ?*^' 
He said, " You must pray for patience." She 
asked, ^' What is patience ?" but, too ill to wait 
for an answer, she retired into the next room to 
the favorite servant above-mentioned, where the 
most violent symptoms ensued. Her father 
ordered some medicines, but being engaged, 
Gould not see her for two or three hours; he thea 
found she was attacked by scarlet fever, and 
considered her case as hopeless; every means 
for her recovery proved unsuccessful, and she 
expired at ten o'clock next morning, while re- 
peating the Lord's prayer, the concluding words 
of which were the last she spoke. 

We have here an instance of the blessed 
fruits of parental faithfulness. Wholesome dis- 
cipline should ever be accompanied with such 
explanations and instructions as are suited to 
impress the infant mind, and give correct views, 
of the law of God, the nature of sin, the atone- 
ment of Christ, and their oWn concern in these 
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